Thiazolidin-4-one-derivatives

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing at least one thiazolidin-4-one derivative to prevent or treat disorders associated with an activated immune system. Furthermore, the invention relates to novel thiazolidin-4-one derivatives notably for use as pharmaceutically active compounds. Said compounds particularly act also as immunosuppressive agents.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/570,956, filed Aug. 9, 2012, which is a divisional of U.S.application Ser. No. 12/496,945, filed Jul. 2, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No.8,273,779, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.12/132,443, filed on Jun. 3, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,875,726, which isa divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/580,169, filed on Dec. 1,2006 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,435,828, now U.S. Pat. No. RE 43,728),which is a continuation-in-part of Application of PCT/EP2004/012953,filed Nov. 16, 2004, which claims priority to PCT/EP03/13072, filed onNov. 21, 2003, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel thiazolidin-4-one derivatives ofthe General Formula (I) and their use as active ingredients in thepreparation of pharmaceutical compositions. The invention also concernsrelated aspects including processes for the preparation of thecompounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing one or more compoundsof the General Formula (I), and their use as immunosuppressant agents,either alone or in combination with other immunosuppressant therapies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The immune system attempts to fight a transplanted organ in the same wayit fights an infection or a cancer. Without immunosuppressive medicationto inhibit the immune system's action, a transplanted organ is quicklyrejected and stops functioning. Organ transplant recipients canexperience some organ rejection even when they are takingimmunosuppressive drugs. Rejection occurs most frequently in the firstfew weeks after transplantation, but rejection episodes can also happenmonths or even years after transplantation. Combinations of up to threeor four medications are commonly used to give maximum protection againstrejection while minimizing side effects. Current standard drugs used totreat the rejection of transplanted organs interfere with discreteintracellular pathways in the activation of T-type or B-type white bloodcells. Examples of such drugs are cyclosporin, daclizumab, basiliximab,everolimus, or FK506, which interfere with cytokine release orsignaling; azathiopirene or leflunomide, which inhibit nucleotidesynthesis; or 15-deoxyspergualin, an inhibitor of leukocytedifferentiation. The beneficial effects of these therapies relate totheir broad immunosuppressive effects; however, the generalizedimmunosuppression which these drugs produce also diminishes the immunesystem's defense against infection and malignancies. Furthermore,standard immunosuppressive drugs are often used at high dosages and canthemselves cause or accelerate organ damage in either the transplantedorgan itself, or in other target organs of the transplant recipient.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides compounds having a powerful andlong-lasting immunosuppressive effect which is achieved by reducing thenumber of circulating and infiltrating T- and B-lymphocytes, withoutaffecting their maturation, memory, or expansion. In consequence, thecompounds of the present invention can be utilized alone or incombination with standard T-cell activation inhibiting drugs, to providea new immunosuppressive therapy with a reduced propensity for infectionsor malignancies when compared to standard immunosuppressive therapy.Furthermore, the compounds of the present invention can be used incombination with reduced dosages of traditional immunosuppressanttherapies, to provide on the one hand effective immunosuppressiveactivity, while on the other hand reducing end organ damage associatedwith higher doses of standard immunosuppressive drugs.

Biological Assay

The immunosuppressive activity of the compounds of the invention can bedemonstrated by measuring the number of circulating lymphocytes in wholeblood of rats as follows.

Normotensive male Wistar rats are housed in climate-controlledconditions with a 12-hour light/dark cycle, and have free access tonormal rat chow and drinking water. Blood (0.5 mL) is collected byretro-orbital sampling before drug administration, and 3 and 6 hthereafter. Blood cell count is measured in whole blood using aBeckman-Coulter Synchron CX5 Pro cytometer. Statistical analysis oflymphocyte counts are performed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) usingStatistica (StatSoft) and the Student-Newman-Keuls procedure formultiple comparisons.

Thus, compounds of the invention decrease the number of circulatinglymphocytes in whole blood when compared to pre-drug values.

Table 1 shows the effect on lymphocyte counts 6 h after oraladministration of 10 mg/kg of a compound of the present invention tonormotensive male Wistar rats as compared to a group of animals treatedwith vehicle only.

TABLE 1 Compound of Example Lymphocyte counts [%] 4 −32 7 −67 24 −54 42−23 46 −37 75 −47 76 −58 77 −55 84 −68 85 −63 86  −30* 91 −35 95 −53 100−53 103 −47 110 −30 130 −26 *at 3 mg/kg p.o.

The following paragraphs provide definitions of the various chemicalmoieties that make up the compounds according to the invention and areintended to apply uniformly throughout the specification and claimsunless an otherwise expressly set out definition provides a broaderdefinition.

The term lower alkyl, alone or in combination with other groups, meanssaturated, straight or branched chain groups with one to seven carbonatoms, preferably one to four carbon atoms. Examples of lower alkylgroups are methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl,sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl or n-heptyl.

The term lower alkoxy means a R—O group, wherein R is a lower alkyl.Preferred examples of lower alkoxy groups are methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy,iso-propoxy, iso-butoxy, sec-butoxy or tert-butoxy.

The term mono- or di-lower alkylamino means a R′—NH— or a R′—NR″— group,wherein R′ and R″ are each independently a lower alkyl. Preferredexamples of mono- or di-lower alkylamino groups are methylamino,ethylamino, N,N-dimethylamino, or N-methyl-N-ethyl-amino.

The term lower alkenyl, alone or in combination with other groups, meansstraight or branched chain groups comprising an olefinic bond and threeto seven carbon atoms, preferably three to five carbon atoms. Examplesof lower alkenyl are allyl, (E)-but-2-enyl, (Z)-but-2-enyl, orbut-3-enyl.

The term halogen means fluoro, chloro, bromo or iodo.

The term cycloalkyl alone or in combination, means a saturated cyclichydrocarbon ring system with 3 to 7 carbon atoms, preferably three tosix carbon atoms. Examples of cycloalkyl are cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl,cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or cycloheptyl.

The expression pharmaceutically acceptable salts encompasses eithersalts with inorganic acids or organic acids like hydrochloric orhydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, citric acid, formicacid, acetic acid, maleic acid, tartaric acid, benzoic acid,methanesulfonic acid, and the like that are non-toxic to livingorganisms. In case the compound of General Formula (I) or GeneralFormula (II) is acidic in nature the expression encompasses salts withan inorganic base like an alkali or earth alkali base, e.g. sodiumhydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, or with an organicbase such as benzathine, choline, meglumine, and the like which are alsonon-toxic to living organisms (S. M. Berge, L. D. Bighley and D. C.Monkhouse, Pharmaceutical salts, J. Pharm. Sci., 66 (1977), 1-19; P. L.Gould, Salt selection of basic drugs, Int. J. Pharmaceutics 33 (1986),201-217).

The compounds of the General Formula (I) and General Formula (II) cancontain one or more asymmetric carbon atoms and may be prepared in formof optically pure enantiomers, mixtures of enantiomers such asracemates, diastereomers, mixtures of diastereomers, diastereomericracemates, mixtures of diastereomeric racemates, and meso-forms. Thepresent invention encompasses all these forms.

A first aspect of the invention consists of a novel pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising at least one thiazolidin-4-one derivative of theGeneral Formula (I):

wherein:

R¹ represents lower alkyl, lower alkenyl; cycloalkyl;5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphth-1-yl; 5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphth-2-yl; a phenylgroup; a phenyl group independently mono-, di- or trisubstituted withlower alkyl, halogen, lower alkoxy, or —CF₃;

R² represents lower alkyl; allyl; cyclopropyl; cyclobutyl; cyclopentyl;mono- or di-lower alkylamino;

R³ represents —NR⁵R⁶; —O—CR⁷R⁸—CR⁹R¹⁰—(CR¹¹R¹²)_(n)—O—R¹³;

R⁴ represents hydrogen; hydroxy; lower alkoxy; lower alkyl; halogen; orR³ and R⁴ together may form a methylenedioxy or ethylenedioxy ringoptionally further substituted with a hydroxy methyl group;

R⁵ and R⁶ each represents independently lower alkyl;

R⁷ represents hydrogen, lower alkyl, or hydroxymethyl;

R⁸, R⁹, R¹¹ and R¹² each represents independently hydrogen or methyl;

R¹⁰ represents hydrogen or lower alkyl; in case n represents the integer1, R¹⁰ in addition represents lower alkoxy, hydroxy, —NH₂, —NHR⁵ or—NR⁵R⁶;

R¹³ represents hydrogen; lower alkyl; hydroxycarbonyl-lower alkyl;1-glyceryl or 2-glyceryl;

n represents the integer 0 or 1;

and configurational isomers, optically pure enantiomers, mixtures ofenantiomers such as racemates, diastereomers, mixtures of diastereomers,diastereomeric racemates, mixtures of diastereomeric racemates and themeso-form, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solventcomplexes, and morphological forms, and inert carrier material.

The compounds of General Formula (I) and their pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts can be used as medicaments, e.g. in the form ofpharmaceutical preparations for enteral, parental or topicaladministration. They can be administered, for example, perorally, e.g.in the form of tablets, coated tablets, dragees, hard and soft gelatinecapsules, solutions, emulsions or suspensions, rectally, e.g. in theform of suppositories, parenterally, e.g. in the form of injectionsolutions or infusion solutions, or topically, e.g. in the form ofointments, cream or oils.

The production of the pharmaceutical preparations can be effected in amanner which will be familiar to any person skilled in the art (see forexample Mark Gibson, Editor, Pharmaceutical Preformulation andFormulation, IHS Health Group, Englewood, Colo., USA, 2001; Remington,The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 20th Edition, Philadelphia Collegeof Pharmacy and Science) by bringing the described compounds of GeneralFormula (I) and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, optionally incombination with other therapeutically valuable substances, into agalenical administration form together with suitable, non-toxic, inert,therapeutically compatible solid or liquid carrier materials and, ifdesired, usual pharmaceutical adjuvants.

Suitable inert carrier materials are not only inorganic carriermaterials, but also organic carrier materials. Thus, for example,lactose, corn starch or derivatives thereof, talc, stearic acid or itssalts can be used as carrier materials for tablets, coated tablets,dragees and hard gelatine capsules. Suitable carrier materials for softgelatine capsules are, for example, vegetable oils, waxes, fats andsemi-solid and liquid polyols (depending on the nature of the activeingredient no carriers are, however, required in the case of softgelatine capsules). Suitable carrier materials for the production ofsolutions and syrups are, for example, water, polyols, sucrose, invertsugar and the like. Suitable carrier materials for injection solutionsare, for example, water, alcohols, polyols, glycerol and vegetable oils.Suitable carrier materials for suppositories are, for example, naturalor hardened oils, waxes, fats and semi-liquid or liquid polyols.Suitable carrier materials for topical preparations are glycerides,semi-synthetic and synthetic glycerides, hydrogenated oils, liquidwaxes, liquid paraffins, liquid fatty alcohols, sterols, polyethyleneglycols and cellulose derivatives.

Usual stabilizers, preservatives, wetting and emulsifying agents,consistency-improving agents, flavour-improving agents, salts forvarying the osmotic pressure, buffer substances, solubilizers, colorantsand masking agents and antioxidants come into consideration aspharmaceutical adjuvants.

The dosage of the compounds of General Formula (I) can vary within widelimits depending on the disease to be controlled, the age and theindividual condition of the patient and the mode of administration, andwill, of course, be fitted to the individual requirements in eachparticular case. For adult patients a daily dosage of about 0.5 mg toabout 1000 mg, especially about 1 mg to about 500 mg, comes intoconsideration for the treatment of disorders associated with anactivated immune system for adult patients. Depending on the dosage itmay be convenient to administer the daily dosage in several dosageunits.

The pharmaceutical preparations conveniently contain about 0.5 to 500mg, preferably 1 to 250 mg, of a compound of General Formula (I).

In a preferred embodiment according to the invention, theabove-mentioned pharmaceutical composition comprises the (Z,Z)-isomersof the thiazolidin-4-one derivatives of the General Formula (I).

The above-mentioned pharmaceutical composition is useful for theprevention and treatment of disorders associated with an activatedimmune system.

Such diseases or disorders are selected from the group consisting ofrejection of transplanted organs or tissue; graft-versus-host diseasesbrought about by transplantation; autoimmune syndromes includingrheumatoid arthritis; systemic lupus erythematosus; Hashimoto'sthyroiditis; lymphocytic thyroiditis; multiple sclerosis; myastheniagravis; type I diabetes; uveitis; posterior uveitis; uveitis associatedwith Behcet's disease; uveomeningitis syndrome; allergicencephalomyelitis; chronic allograft vasculopathy; post-infectiousautoimmune diseases including rheumatic fever and post-infectiousglomerulonephritis; inflammatory and hyperproliferative skin diseases;psoriasis; atopic dermatitis; osteomyelitis; contact dermatitis;eczematous dermatitis; seborrhoeic dermatitis; lichen planus; pemphigus;bullous pemphigoid; epidermolysis bullosa; urticaria; angioedema;vasculitis; erythema; cutaneous eosinophilia; acne; alopecia areata;keratoconjunctivitis; vernal conjunctivitis; keratitis; herpetickeratitis; dystrophia epithelialis corneae; corneal leukoma; ocularpemphigus; Mooren's ulcer; ulcerative keratitis; scleritis; Graves'ophthalmopathy; Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome; sarcoidosis; pollenallergies; reversible obstructive airway disease; bronchial asthma;allergic asthma; intrinsic asthma; extrinsic asthma; dust asthma;chronic or inveterate asthma; late asthma and airwayhyper-responsiveness; bronchitis; gastric ulcers; ischemic boweldiseases; inflammatory bowel diseases; necrotizing enterocolitis;intestinal lesions associated with thermal burns; coeliac diseases;proctitis; eosinophilic gastroenteritis; mastocytosis; Crohn's disease;ulcerative colitis; vascular damage caused by ischemic diseases andthrombosis; atherosclerosis; fatty heart; myocarditis; cardiacinfarction; arteriosclerosis; aortitis syndrome; cachexia due to viraldisease; vascular thrombosis; migraine; rhinitis; eczema; interstitialnephritis; IgA-induced nephropathy; Goodpasture's syndrome;hemolytic-uremic syndrome; diabetic nephropathy; glomerulosclerosis;glomerulonephritis; multiple myositis; Guillain-Barre syndrome;Meniere's disease; polyneuritis; multiple neuritis; mononeuritis;radiculopathy; hyperthyroidism; Basedow's disease; thyrotoxicosis; purered cell aplasia; aplastic anemia; hypoplastic anemia; idiopathicthrombocytopenic purpura; autoimmune hemolytic anemia; agranulocytosis;pernicious anemia; megaloblastic anemia; anerythroplasia; osteoporosis;sarcoidosis; fibroid lung; idiopathic interstitial pneumonia;dermatomyositis; leukoderma vulgaris; ichthyosis vulgaris; photoallergicsensitivity; cutaneous T cell lymphoma; polyarteritis nodosa;Huntington's chorea; Sydenham's chorea; myocardosis; scleroderma;Wegener's granuloma; Sjogren's syndrome; adiposis; eosinophilicfascitis; lesions of gingiva, periodontium, alveolar bone, substantiaossea dentis; male pattern alopecia or alopecia senilis; musculardystrophy; pyoderma; Sezary's syndrome; chronic adrenal insufficiency;Addison's disease; ischemia-reperfusion injury of organs which occursupon preservation; endotoxin shock; pseudomembranous colitis; colitiscaused by drug or radiation; ischemic acute renal insufficiency; chronicrenal insufficiency; lung cancer; malignancy of lymphoid origin; acuteor chronic lymphocytic leukemias; lymphoma; psoriasis; pulmonaryemphysema; cataracta; siderosis; retinitis pigmentosa; senile maculardegeneration; vitreal scarring; corneal alkali burn; dermatitiserythema; ballous dermatitis; cement dermatitis; gingivitis;periodontitis; sepsis; pancreatitis; carcinogenesis; metastasis ofcarcinoma; hypobaropathy; autoimmune hepatitis; primary biliarycirrhosis; sclerosing cholangitis; partial liver resection; acute livernecrosis; cirrhosis; alcoholic cirrhosis; hepatic failure; fulminanthepatic failure; late-onset hepatic failure; “acute-on-chronic” liverfailure.

Particularly preferred diseases comprise the group consisting ofrejection of transplanted organs or tissue; graft-versus-host diseasesbrought about by transplantation; autoimmune syndromes includingrheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis; pollenallergies; type I diabetes; prevention of psoriasis; Crohn's disease;post-infectious autoimmune diseases including rheumatic fever andpost-infectious glomerulonephritis; and metastasis of carcinoma.

Furthermore, compounds of the General Formula (I) are also useful, incombination with one or several immunosuppressant agents, for thetreatment of disorders associated with an activated immune system andselected from the list as above-mentioned. According to a preferredembodiment of the invention, said immunosuppressant agent is selectedfrom the group comprising or consisting of cyclosporin, daclizumab,basiliximab, everolimus, tacrolimus (FK506), azathiopirene, leflunomide,15-deoxyspergualin, or other immunosuppressant drugs.

Another aspect of the invention concerns a method for the prevention ortreatment of disorders associated with an activated immune systemcomprising the administration to the patient of a pharmaceuticalcomposition containing a compound of the General Formula (I). A suitabledose of the compound of General Formula (I) in the pharmaceuticalcomposition is between 0.5 mg and 1000 mg per day. In a preferredembodiment of the invention, said dose is comprised between 1 mg and 500mg per day and more particularly between 5 mg and 200 mg per day.

A further aspect of the invention are novel thiazolidin-4-onederivatives of the following General Formula (II):

wherein:

R¹⁴ represents lower alkyl, lower alkenyl; cycloalkyl;5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphth-1-yl; 5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphth-2-yl; a phenylgroup; a phenyl group mono-, di- or trisubstituted independently withlower alkyl, halogen, lower alkoxy, or —CF₃;

R¹⁵ represents lower alkyl; allyl; cyclopropyl; cyclobutyl; cyclopentyl;mono- or di-lower alkylamino;

R¹⁶ represents hydrogen; hydroxy; lower alkoxy; lower alkyl or halogen;

R¹⁷ represents hydrogen, lower alkyl, or hydroxymethyl;

R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²¹ and R²² each represents independently hydrogen or methyl;

R²⁰ represents hydrogen or lower alkyl; and in case m represents theinteger 1, R²⁰ in addition represents lower alkoxy, hydroxy, —NH₂, —NHR⁵or —NR⁵R⁶;

R²³ represents hydrogen; lower alkyl; hydroxycarbonyl-lower alkyl;1-glyceryl or 2-glyceryl;

m represents the integer 0 or 1;

and configurational isomers, optically pure enantiomers, mixtures ofenantiomers such as racemates, diastereomers, mixtures of diastereomers,diastereomeric racemates, mixtures of diastereomeric racemates and themeso-form, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts.

Preferred thiazolidin-4-one derivatives according to General Formula(II) are (Z,Z) isomers of General Formula (II).

In a preferred embodiment, R¹⁴ represents an unsubstituted, a mono- ordisubstituted phenyl group.

In another preferred embodiment, R¹⁴ represents an unsubstituted, amono- or disubstituted phenyl group, substituted with methyl or halogen.

In a further preferred embodiment, R¹⁵ represents lower alkyl.

In another preferred embodiment, R¹⁶ represents halogen or methyl.

In another preferred embodiment, m represents the integer 0; and R¹⁷,R¹⁸, R¹⁹, and R²⁰ represent hydrogen.

In yet another preferred embodiment, m represents the integer 1, R¹⁷,R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²¹, R²² represent hydrogen, and R²⁰ represents hydroxy.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, R²³ represents hydrogen.

In another particularly preferred embodiment, m represents the integer0; R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²⁰, and R²³ represents hydrogen.

In another particularly preferred embodiment, m represents the integer1, R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²¹, R²², and R²³ represent hydrogen, and R²⁰represents hydroxy.

In a further preferred embodiment, R¹⁴ represents an unsubstituted, amono- or disubstituted phenyl group, substituted with methyl or halogen,and R¹⁵ represents lower alkyl.

In another further preferred embodiment, R¹⁴ represents anunsubstituted, a mono- or disubstituted phenyl group, substituted withmethyl or halogen, m represents the integer 0; R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²⁰, andR²³ represents hydrogen.

In another further preferred embodiment, R¹⁴ represents anunsubstituted, a mono- or disubstituted phenyl group, substituted withmethyl or halogen, m represents the integer 1, R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²¹, R²²,and R²³ represent hydrogen, and R²⁰ represents hydroxy.

In particularly preferred embodiment, R¹⁴ represents an unsubstituted, amono- or disubstituted phenyl group, substituted with methyl or halogen,R¹⁵ represents lower alkyl; R¹⁶ represents halogen or methyl, mrepresents the integer 0, and R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²⁰ and R²³ each representhydrogen.

In another particularly preferred embodiment, R¹⁴ represents anunsubstituted, a mono- or disubstituted phenyl group, substituted withmethyl or halogen, R¹⁵ represents lower alkyl; R¹⁶ represents halogen ormethyl, m represents the integer 1, R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²¹, R²², and R²³represent hydrogen, and R²⁰ represents hydroxy.

Specific thiazolidin-4-one derivatives according to formula (II) are:

-   -   5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   {2-[4-(2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-4-oxo-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-5-[Z]-ylidenemethyl)-phenoxy]-ethoxy}-acetic        acid,    -   rac-5-{4-[2-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-ethoxy]-benz[Z]ylidene}-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[3-fluoro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-3-methyl-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-3-methoxy-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[4-(3-hydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   rac-5-[4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   rac-5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   rac-5-{4-[2-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-ethoxy]-benz[Z]ylidene}-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-3-methoxy-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[4-(3-hydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   rac-5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-m-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-m-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   rac-5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-m-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-p-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-p-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   rac-5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-p-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   rac-5-{4-[2-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-ethoxy]-benz[Z]ylidene}-3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-5-[3-fluoro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-3-methyl-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-3-methoxy-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   rac-5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   3-(2,4-dimethyl-phenyl)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-(2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-[Z]-ylmethylene)-3-(2,6-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   3-(2,6-dimethyl-phenyl)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   3-(2-chloro-phenyl)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-(2-chloro-phenyl)-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-(2-chloro-phenyl)-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-(2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-[Z]-ylmethylene)-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-methoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   3-allyl-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   3-allyl-5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   rac-3-allyl-5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-2-([Z]-propylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-2-([Z]-propylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-3-methyl-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-2-([Z]-propylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   rac-5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-2-([Z]-propylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-propylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[4-(3-hydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-propylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-propylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-3-methyl-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-propylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   rac-5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-propylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   (R)-5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-propylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   (S)-5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-propylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-propylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   rac-5-{4-[2-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-ethoxy]-benz[Z]ylidene}-3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-([Z]-propylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-([Z]-propylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-3-methyl-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-propylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-3-methoxy-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-propylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   rac-5-[4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-([Z]-propylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   rac-5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-([Z]-propylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   2-([Z]-tert-butylimino)-5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   2-(dimethyl-hydrazono)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-(dimethyl-hydrazono)-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   2-([Z]-ethylimino)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-Ethylimino)-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   2-([Z]-ethylimino)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-ethylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-([Z]-ethylimino)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-([Z]-ethylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   2-([Z]-butylimino)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   2-([Z]-butylimino)-5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   2-([Z]-butylimino)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   2-([Z]-butylimino)-5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   2-([Z]-butylimino)-3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   2-([Z]-butylimino)-5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   2-([Z]-sec-butylimino)-5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   2-([Z]-cyclopropylimino)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   3-cyclohexyl-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   b        5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-cyclohexyl-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[4-(2-Hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-isopropyl-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-isopropyl-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   rac-5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-isopropyl-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   2-([Z]-allylimino)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   2-([Z]-allylimino)-5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   3-allyl-2-([Z]-allylimino)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   3-allyl-2-([Z]-allylimino)-5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-methylimino)-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-([Z]-methylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,

More specific thiazolidin-4-one derivatives according to formula (II)are:

-   -   5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   rac-5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   rac-5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-2-([Z]-propylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-3-methyl-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-2-([Z]-propylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   rac-5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-2-([Z]-propylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   rac-5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-propylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   (R)-5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-propylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   (S)-5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-propylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-([Z]-propylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   rac-5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-([Z]-propylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   2-(dimethyl-hydrazono)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-Ethylimino)-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-([Z]-ethylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,    -   5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-isopropyl-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,

Compounds of General Formula (I) and General Formula (II) are suitablefor the use as medicament.

Still a further object of the present invention is a process to preparea pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of the GeneralFormula (I) or a compound of the General Formula (II) by mixing one ormore active ingredients with inert excipients in a manner known per se.

The compounds of General Formulae (I) and (II) can be manufactured bythe methods given below, by the methods given in the Examples or byanalogous methods. Optimum reaction conditions may vary with theparticular reactants or solvents used, but such conditions can bedetermined by a person skilled in the art by routine optimisationprocedures.

Compounds of the General Formula (I) and General Formula (II) of thepresent invention can be prepared according to the general sequence ofreactions outlined below. Only a few of the synthetic possibilitiesleading to compounds of General Formula (I) and General Formula (II) aredescribed as summarized in Scheme 1.

According to Scheme 1, compounds of the General Formula (I) can beprepared by reacting a compound of Structure I with a compound ofStructure II, for instance, in acetic acid at elevated temperatures andin the presence of a base such as sodium acetate. The reaction can alsobe carried out in a non-polar solvent such as toluene or benzene in thepresence of an amine such as pyrrolidine or piperidine.

Likewise, compounds of the General Formula (II) can be prepared byreacting a compound of Structure III with a compound of Structure IV(Scheme 2).

Depending on the nature of R²³, it may be beneficial to prepare thecompounds of General Formula (II) by first reacting a compound ofStructure III with the compound of Structure V to form a compound ofStructure VI (Scheme 3). The compound of Structure VI is then treatedwith a compound of Structure VII wherein X represents a leaving groupsuch a chlorine, a bromine or an iodine atom, or a sulfonic acid estergroup in the presence of a base such as K₂CO₃, NaH, or triethylamine ina solvent such as THF, DMF, acetone, or DMSO.

As outlined in Scheme 1, the compounds of Structure I can be prepared byreacting a compound of Structure VIII with a compound of Structure IX toform the intermediate of Structure X which is then cyclised to thecompound of Structure I with a bromo- or chloroacetic acid ester ofStructure XI. This reaction is ideally performed in a two step-one potprocedure at room temperature using an alcohol such as methanol orethanol as solvent. The second step can be catalysed by the addition ofpyridine.

Alternatively, the compounds of Structure I can also be prepared byreacting a compound of Structure XII with a compound of Structure XIIIin the presence of a base such as NaH in a solvent such as THF or DMF.Compounds of the Structure XII are prepared by treating a compound ofStructure XIV with chloroacetic acid chloride or bromoacetic acidbromide in a solvent such as THF, DMF or DCM in the presence of a basesuch as triethylamine, ethyldiisopropylamine at temperatures between −60and +50° C. (Scheme 4).

The preparation of compounds of Structure III is in analogy to thepreparation of compounds of Structure I.

EXAMPLES

The following examples illustrate the invention but do not at all limitthe scope thereof.

All temperatures are stated in ° C. Compounds are characterized by¹H-NMR (300 MHz) or ¹³C-NMR (75 MHz) (Varian Oxford; chemical shifts aregiven in ppm relative to the solvent used; multiplicities: s=singlet,d=doublet, t=triplet; p=pentuplet, hex=hexet, hept=heptet, m=multiplet,br=broad, coupling constants are given in Hz); by LC-MS (FinniganNavigator with HP 1100 Binary Pump and DAD, column: 4.6×50 mm, ZorbaxSB-AQ, 5 m, 120 A, gradient: 5-95% acetonitrile in water, 1 min, with0.04% trifluoroacetic acid, flow: 4.5 ml/min), t_(R) is given in min; byTLC (TLC-plates from Merck, Silica gel 60 F₂₅₄); or by melting point.Compounds are purified by preparative HPLC (column: Grom Saphir Rp-C₁₈,110 A, 5 m, 30×30 mm, gradient: 10-95% acetonitrile in water containing0.5% of formic acid, in 2 min, flow: 75 mL/min) or by MPLC (LabomaticMD-80-100 pump, Linear UVIS-201 detector, column: 350×18 mm,Labogel-RP-18-5s-100, gradient: 10% methanol in water to 100% methanol).

Abbreviations

aq. aqueous

atm atmosphere

DCM dichloromethane

DMF dimethylformamide

DMSO dimethylsulfoxide

EA ethyl acetate

h hour

Hex hexane

HV high vacuum conditions

min minutes

THF tetrahydrofuran

rt room temperature

sat. saturated

t_(R) retention time

tlc thin layer chromatography

Typical Procedure for the Preparation of the 2-imino-thiazolidin-4-oneScaffold (Method A)

To a solution of isopropylamine (1.31 g, 22.19 mmol) in methanol (25 mL)is added portionwise phenylisothiocyanate (3.0 g, 22.19 mmol). Thesolution which becomes slightly warm during the addition is stirred atrt for 4 h before pyridine (2.63 g, 33.29 mmol) and methyl bromoacetate(3.39 g, 22.19 mmol) is added. The mixture is stirred for another 16 hat rt before it is poured onto 1 N aq. HCl (100 mL) and extracted withdiethyl ether (150 mL). The aq. layer is neutralised by adding sat. aq.NaHCO₃ and extracted with diethyl ether (4×150 mL). The organic extractsare dried over MgSO₄ and evaporated. The remaining solid is suspended indiethyl ether/heptane, filtered off, washed with additional diethylether/heptane and dried to give3-phenyl-2-[(Z)-isopropylimino]-thiazolidin-4-one.

Typical Procedure for the Preparation of the 2-imino-thiazolidin-4-oneScaffold (Method B)

a) A solution of aniline (9.31 g, 100 mmol) and triethylamine (15.2 g,150 mmol) in THF (150 mL) is cooled to −40° C. before chloroacetic acidchloride (11.3 g, 100 mmol) is slowly added in portions such that thetemperature does not rise above 0° C. After completion of the addition,the brown suspension is stirred at rt for 1 h. The dark purple mixtureis poured onto water (300 mL) and extracted twice with EA (300 mL). Theorganic extracts are washed with sat. aq. NaHCO₃, 0.5 N aq. HCl,followed by water, and evaporated. The brown residue is suspended indiethyl ether, filtered off, washed with additional diethyl ether anddried under high vacuum to give 2-chloro-N-phenyl-acetamide. LC-MS:t_(R)=0.75 min, [M+1]⁺=170, ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 8.22 (s br, 1H), 7.56-7.51(m, 2H), 7.40-7.24 (m, 2H), 7.20-7.14 (m, 1H), 4.20 (s, 2H).

b) At rt, NaH (154 mg of 55% dispersion in mineral oil, 3.54 mmol) isadded in portions to a solution of n-propylisothiocyanate (596 mg, 5.90mmol) and the above 2-chloro-N-phenyl-acetamide (1000 mg, 5.90 mmol) inDMF (30 mL). Stirring is continued for 2 h after completion of theaddition. The mixture is poured onto EA (150 mL) and is extracted twicewith 1 N aq. HCl (200 mL). The aq. layer is neutralised by adding 3 NNaOH followed by sat. aq. NaHCO₃, and extracted twice with EA (200 mL).The organic extracts are washed with water (200 mL) and evaporated togive a pale yellow, crystalline solid. This material is suspended in asmall amount of diethyl ether/hexane 1:1, filtered, washed withadditional diethyl ether/hexane and dried under high vacuum to give3-phenyl-2-[(Z)-propylimino]-thiazolidin-4-one.

Typical Procedure for the Introduction of the Benzylidene Substituent(Method C)

A solution of 3-phenyl-2-[(Z)-isopropylimino]-thiazolidin-4-one (150 mg,0.64 mmol), piperonal (192 mg, 1.28 mmol) and sodium acetate (105 mg,1.28 mmol) in acetic acid (3 mL) is stirred at 110° C. for 4 h. The darkyellow to brown solution is cooled to rt, diluted with EA (75 mL),washed with sat. aq. NaHCO₃, followed by water, and evaporated. Thecrude product is purified by crystallisation from a small amount ofmethanol (approx. 5 mL) to give5-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmeth-(Z)-ylidene-2-[(Z)-isopropylimino]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one.

Typical Procedure for the Introduction of the benz-(Z)-ylideneSubstituent (Method D)

A solution of 3-phenyl-2-[(Z)-isopropylimino]-thiazolidin-4-one (150 mg,0.64 mmol), 4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)benzaldehyde (213 mg, 1.28 mmol) andsodium acetate (105 mg, 1.28 mmol) in acetic acid (3 mL) is stirred at110° C. for 3 h. The brown solution is cooled to rt, diluted with EA (75mL), washed with sat. aq. NaHCO₃, followed by water, and evaporated. Theresidue is dissolved in methanol (20 mL) and sodium methylate is added(150 mg). The resulting solution is allowed to stand for 40 min at rtbefore it is diluted with EA, washed with 10% aq. citric acid, and twicewith water. The organic extracts are evaporated and the residue iscrystallised from methanol to give(2Z,5Z)-3-phenyl-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz-(Z)-ylidene]-2-[(Z)-isopropylimino]-thiazolidin-4-one.

Typical Procedure for the Introduction of the benz-(Z)-ylideneSubstituent (Method E)

A solution of3-(2-methylphenyl)-2-[(Z)-isopropylimino]-thiazolidin-4-one (50 mg,0.200 mmol), 2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxine-6-carbaldehyde (49 mg, 0.300mmol) and sodium acetate (33 mg, 0.400 mmol) in acetic acid (1 mL) isstirred at 110° C. for 5 h. The reaction mixture is cooled to rt andsubjected to prep. HPLC purification. The product containing fractionsare evaporated and dried to give5-(2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-ylmeth-(Z)-ylidene)-2-[(Z)-isopropylimino]-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one.

Typical Procedure for the Introduction of the benz-(Z)-ylideneSubstituent (Method F)

A solution of 3-(2-methylphenyl)-2-[(Z)-propylimino]-thiazolidin-4-one(87 mg, 0.351 mmol),3-chloro-4-((4R)-2,2-dimethyl-[1,3]dioxolan-4-ylmethoxy)-benzaldehyde(190 mg, 0.702 mmol) and sodium acetate (58 mg, 0.702 mmol) in aceticacid (4 mL) is stirred at 110° C. for 4 h. Water is added (50 μL) andstirring is continued at 110° C. for 1 h. The reaction mixture is cooledto rt, diluted with EA (75 mL), washed with sat. aq. NaHCO₃, followed bywater, and evaporated. The residue is dissolved in methanol (20 mL) andsodium methylate is added (150 mg). The resulting solution is allowed tostand for 40 min at rt before it is diluted with EA, washed with 10% aq.citric acid, and twice with water. The organic extracts are evaporatedand the residue is purified on prep. TLC plates using toluene/EA 1:3 togive5-[3-chloro-4-((2R)-2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz-(Z)-ylidene]-2-[(Z)-propylimino]-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one(98 mg) as a pale yellow foam.

Preparation of rac-4-[2-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-ethoxy]-benzaldehyde

To a solution of 4-82-hydroxyethoxy)-benzaldehyde (2.50 g, 15.0 mmol) inTHF (100 mL) is added NaH (722 mg of 55% dispersion in mineral oil, 16.5mmol) in two portions. The mixture is stirred at rt for 30 min andallylbromide (2.18 g, 18.0 mmol) is added. After stirring for 1 h at rtthe thick mixture is diluted with DMF (20 mL) and stirring is continuedfor another 2 h. The mixture is diluted with EA (300 mL), washed withsat. aq. NaHCO₃ (150 mL), and water (2×150 mL) and concentrated. Theresidue is chromatographed on silica gel eluting with heptane/EA 3:2 toafford 4-(2-allyloxy-ethoxy)-benzaldehyde (2.11 g) as an almostcolourless oil. LC-MS: t_(R)=0.88 min, [M+1]⁺=207.

The above material (1.5 g, 7.27 mmol) is dissolved in acetone (40 mL)and treated with a 2.5% solution of OsO₄ in tert.-butanol (1.48 mL,0.146 mmol). N-Methylmorpholine-N-oxide (1.03 g, 8.73 mmol) followed bywater (1 mL) is added and the resulting yellow to green solution isstirred at rt for 4.5 h before it is diluted with EA (250 mL) and washedwith 10% aq. citric acid solution (100 mL) and water (2×200 mL). Thewashings are extracted back once with EA (200 mL). The combined organicextracts are concentrated to leaverac-4-[2-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-ethoxy]-benzaldehyde (1.26 g) as abrownish oil. This material which reversibly polymerizes upon standingis used without further purification in the next step. LC-MS: t_(R)=0.62min, [M+1]⁺=241.

Preparation of 3-chloro-4-(2-acetoxy-ethoxy)-benzaldehyde

A mixture of 3-chloro-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (10 g, 63.9 mmol), K₂CO₃(26.5 g, 191.6 mmol) and 2-bromoethyl acetate (26.7 g, 159.7 mmol) inacetone (250 mL) is refluxed for 18 h before it is diluted with diethylether (200 mL) and washed with water (3×200 mL). The washings areextracted with diethyl ether (200 mL). The combined organic extracts aredried over MgSO₄ and concentrated. The remaining residue is purified bycolumn chromatography on silica gel eluting with heptane/EA 1:1 toafford the title compound (6.44 g) as colourless solid. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃):δ 9.85 (s, 1H9, 7.91 (d, J=1.8 Hz, 1H), 7.75 (dd, J=1.8, 8.2 Hz, 1H),7.03 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 4.53-4.49 (m, 2H), 4.35-4.31 (m, 2H), 2.12 (s,3H).

Preparation of 4-(2-acetoxy-ethoxy)-3-fluoro-benzaldehyde

A mixture of 3-fluoro-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (2.0 g, 14.3 mmol), K₂CO₃(5.92 g, 42.8 mmol) and 2-bromoethyl acetate (4.77 g, 28.5 mmol) inacetone (30 mL) is stirred at 55° C. for 24 h before it is diluted withdiethyl ether (150 mL) and washed with water (3×50 mL). The organicextract is dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated. The remaining residue ischromatographed on silica gel to give the title aldehyde (1.65 g) as acolourless oil. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 9.85 (s, 1H), 7.64-7.58 (m, 2H), 7.07(t, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 4.49-4.45 (m, 2H), 4.35-4.30 (m, 2H), 2.10 (s, 3H).

Preparation of 4-(2-acetoxy-ethoxy)-3-methylbenzaldehyde

A mixture of 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-benzaldehyde (7.0 g, 51.4 mmol), K₂CO₃(21.32 g, 154.2 mmol) and 2-bromoethyl acetate (25.8 g, 154.2 mmol) inacetone (250 mL) is refluxed for 18 h before it is diluted with diethylether (300 mL) and washed with water (3×250 mL). The washings areextracted with diethyl ether (200 mL). The combined organic extracts aredried over MgSO₄ and concentrated. The remaining residue is purified bycolumn chromatography on silica gel eluting with heptane/EA 1:1 toafford the title compound (11.14 g) as colourless solid. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃):δ 9.85 (s, 1H), 7.72-7.67 (m, 2H), 6.92-6.88 (m, 1H), 4.51-4.46 (m, 2H),4.29-4.25 (m, 2H), 2.27 (s, 3H), 2.11 (s, 3H).

Preparation of 4-(2-acetoxy-ethoxy)-3-methoxy-benzaldehyde

A mixture of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzaldehyde (2.5 g, 16.4 mmol), K₂CO₃(6.81 g, 49.3 mmol) and 2-bromoethyl acetate (5.49 g, 32.9 mmol) inacetone (50 mL) is refluxed for 48 h before it is diluted with diethylether (250 mL) and washed with water (2×200 mL). The washings areextracted with diethyl ether (200 mL). The combined organic extracts aredried over MgSO₄ and concentrated. The remaining residue is purified bycolumn chromatography on silica gel eluting with heptane/EA 1:1 toafford the title compound (2.94 g) as colourless solid. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃):δ 9.85 (s, 1H), 7.45-7.41 (m, 2H), 6.99 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 4.51-4.47 (m,2H), 4.34-4.30 (m, 2H), 3.94 (s, 3H), 2.11 (s, 3H).

Preparation of 4-(3-hydroxy-propoxy)-benzaldehyde

To a solution of 3-(4-hydroxymethylphenoxy)propionic acid (4.00 g, 20.40mmol) in THF (20 mL) is added a solution of LiAlH₄ (10 mL, 1 M in THF).The mixture becomes warm and is diluted with THF (20 mL) before it isrefluxed. After 1 and 2 h two further portions of LiAlH₄ (2×10 mL, 1 Min THF) are added. The mixture is refluxed overnight, cooled to rt andcarefully quenched by the addition of water (1.2 g), 15% aq. NaOH (1.2g) and water (3.2 g). The white precipitate is filtered off, and thefiltrate is evaporated and dried to give3-(4-hydroxymethyl-phenoxy)-propan-1-ol. ¹H NMR (D₆-DMSO): δ 7.21-7.15(m, 2H), 6.86-6.81 (m, 2H), 5.00 (t, J=5.9 Hz, 1H), 4.51 (t, J=5.3 Hz,1H), 4.39 (d, J=5.3 Hz, 2H), 3.99 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 2H), 3.57-3.50 (m, 2H),1.83 (p, J 0 6.4 Hz, 2H).

To a suspension of the above 3-(4-hydroxymethyl-phenoxy)-propan-1-ol(1.50 g, 8.23 mmol) in acetonitrile (25 mL) is addedN-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (1.50 g, 12.38 mmol) followed bytetrapropylammonium perruthenate (140 mg, 0.43 mmol). The dark solutionis stirred at rt for 2 h before the solvent is removed in vacuo. Thecrude product is purified by column chromatography on silica gel(heptane/EA) to give 4-(3-hydroxy-propoxy)-benzaldehyde. ¹H NMR(D₆-DMSO): δ 9.83 (s, 1H), 7.85-7.81 (m, 2H), 7.12-7.07 (m, 2H9, 4.56(t, J=5.3 Hz, 1H), 4.14 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 2H), 3.57-3.51 (m, 2H), 1.88 (p,J=6,4 Hz, 2H).

Preparation of rac-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benzaldehyde

To a solution of 4-allyloxybenzaldehyde (1.0 g, 6.17 mmol) in acetone(40 mL) and water (5 mL) is added a 2.5% solution of OsO₄ in tert.butanol (1.25 mL) followed by N-methyl morpholine-N-oxide (867 mg, 7.4mmol). The pale yellow solution is stirred at rt for 6 h, diluted withEA (250 mL) and washed with 10% aq. citric acid solution (100 mL) andwater (2×100 mL). The washings are extracted with EA (150 mL). Thecombined organic extracts are concentrated and purified by columnchromatography on silica gel to give the title compound (731 mg) as aturbid oil. The title compound reversibly polymerizes upon standing.LC-MS: t_(R)=0.58 min, [M+1+CH₃CN]⁺=238.

Preparation of rac-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-3-chloro-benzaldehyde

To a solution of 3-chloro-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (5.0 g, 31.9 mmol) inDMF/THF 1:3 (120 mL) is added NaH (1.67 g of a 55% dispersion in mineraloil, 38.3 mmol) in four portions. The mixture is stirred at rt for 1 hbefore allylbromide (9.66 g, 79.8 mmol) is added. The reaction mixtureis heated to 65° C. for 18 h, diluted with water (250 mL) and extractedwith diethyl ether (3×250 mL). The organic extracts are washed withwater (250 mL), combined and concentrated. The remaining oil ischromatographed on silic gel with heptane/EA 4:1 to afford4-allyloxy-3-chlorobenzaldehyde (5.37 g) as an almost colourless oil.LC: t_(R)=0.95 min. The above 4-allyloxy-3-chloro-benzaldehyde (5.37 g,27.3 mmol) is dissolved in acetone (100 mL) and water (10 mL) andtreated with a 2.5% solution of OsO₄ in tert.-butanol (1.71 mL, 0.137mmol OsO₄). N-methyl morpholine-N-oxide (3.87 g, 32.8 mmol) is added andthe reaction mixture is stirred at rt for 20 h before it is diluted withEA (300 mL) and washed with 10% aq. citric acid solution (200 mL) andwater (2×150 mL). The washings are extracted with EA (300 mL) and thecombined organic extracts are dried over MgSO₄, filtered andconcentrated to furnish the title compound (6.02 g) as beige foam whichwas used in the following steps without further purification. LC:t_(R)=0.67 min.

Preparation of3-chloro-4-((4R)-2,2-dimethyl-[1,3]dioxolan-4-ylmethoxy)-benzaldehyde

To a solution of 3-chloro-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (4.21 g, 27 mmol) indegassed toluene (100 mL) is added((4R)-2,2-dimethyl-[1,3]dioxolan-4-yl)-methanol (5.35 g, 40.5 mmol),1,1′-(azodicarbonyl)dipiperidide (13.63 g, 54 mmol) followed bytributylphosphine (10.93 g, 54 mmol). The mixture becomes slightly warmand a precipitate forms. The reaction mixture is diluted with degassedtoluene (500 mL) and is stirred at rt for 2 h, then at 60° C. forfurther 18 h before it is washed with 1 N aq. NaOH (3×150 mL) and water(150 mL). The organic phase is dried over MgSO₄, filtered andconcentrated to leave a dark brown oil which is chromatographed onsilica gel eluting with hexane/EA 4:1 to give the title compound (4.30g) as yellow oil. ¹H NMR (CDC₃): δ 9.82 (s, 1H), 7.89 (d, J=1.8 Hz, 1H),7.74 (dd, J=1.8, 8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.05 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 4.56-4.43 (m, 1H),4.23-4.17 (m, 2H), 4.14-4.08 (m, 1H), 4.06-4.00 (m, 1H), 1.47 (s, 3H),1.41 (s, 3H).

Preparation of3-chloro-4-((4S)-2,2-dimethyl-[1,3]dioxolan-4-ylmethoxy)-benzaldehyde

The title compound (174 mg) is obtained as a pale yellow oil startingfrom 3-chloro-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (500 mg, 3.20 mmol),((4S)-2,2-dimethyl-[1,3]dioxolan-4-yl)-methanol (633 mg, 4.79 mmol),1,1′-(azodicarbonyl)dipiperidide (1.61 g, 6.39 mmol), andtributylphosphine (1.29 g, 6.39 mmol) following the procedure given forthe (R)-enantiomer above using THF as solvent, however.

Preparation ofrac-2-hydroxymethyl-2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxine-6-carbaldehyde

To a cold (5° C.) solution of 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (3.20 g, 23.2mmol) in DMF (70 mL) is carefully added NaH (1.96 g 55% in mineral oil,48.5 mmol) in portions. The temperature rises to 12° C. Upon completionof the addition, the cooling is removed and a solution of2-chloromethyl-oxirane (2.57 g, 27.7 mmol) in DMF (3 mL) is added. Thereaction mixture is stirred at rt overnight. The mixture is diluted with1N aq. NaOH (150 mL) and extracted with EA (2×200 mL). The organicextracts are washed with 1 M aq. NaOH (2×200 mL) and water (200 mL),combined, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated. The remainingresidue is purified by column chromatography on silica gel eluting withheptene/EA 5:1 to 1:1 to afford the title aldehyde (0.53 g) as a solid.LC: t_(R)=0.69 min. ¹H NMR (D₆-DMSO): δ 9.77 (s, 1H), 7.41 (dd, J=2.3,8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.36 (d, J=2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.04 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 5.10 (t,J=5.9 Hz, 1H, D₂O exchangeable), 4.37 (dd, J=2.3, 11.1 Hz, 1H),4.30-4.23 (m, 1H), 4.05 (dd, J=7.6, 11.1 Hz, 1H), 3.67-3.60 (m, 2H).

Scaffold 1

2-[(Z)-Isopropylimino]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one is prepared asdescribed in Method A. LC-MS: t_(R)=0.58 min, [M+1]⁺=235. ¹H NMR(CDCl₃): δ 7.50-7.36 (m, 3H), 7.29-7.24 (m, 2H), 3.98 (s, 2H), 3.51(hept, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 1.14 (d, J=5.9 Hz, 6H).

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2-[(Z)-Isopropylimino]-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one is obtained followingMethod A and starting from o-tolylisothiocyanate (3.0 g, 20.10 mmol),isopropylamine (1.19 g, 20.10 mmol), and methyl bromoacetate (3.08 g,20.1 mmol). LC-MS: t_(R)=0.67 min, [M+1]⁺=249; ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ7.34-7.26 (m, 3H), 7.14-7.08 (m, 1H), 4.00 (s, 2H), 3.50 (hept, J=6.4Hz, 1H), 2.16 (s, 3H), 1.12 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 3H), 1.11 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 3H).

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2-[(Z)-Isopropylimino]-3-m-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one is obtained followingMethod A and starting from m-tolylisothiocyanate (3.0 g, 20.10 mmol),isopropylamine (1.19 g, 20.10 mmol), and methyl bromoacetate (3.08 g,20.1 mmol). LC-MS: t_(R)=0.65 min, [M+1]⁺=249; ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ7.37-7.30 (m, 1H), 7.21-7.17 (m, 1H), 7.08-7.03 (m, 2H), 3.96 (s, 2H),3.50 (hept, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 2.40 (s, 3H), 1.14 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 6H).

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2-[(Z)-Isopropylimino]-3-p-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one is obtained followingMethod A and starting from p-tolylisothiocyanate (3.0 g, 20.10 mmol),isopropylamine (1.19 g, 20.10 mmol), and methyl bromoacetate (3.08 g,20.1 mmol). LC-MS: t_(R)=0.64 min, [M+1]⁺=249; ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ7.28-7.24 (m, 2H), 7.16-7.12 (m, 2H), 3.96 (s, 2H), 3.50 (hept, J=6.4Hz, 1H), 2.39 (s, 3H), 1.14 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 6H).

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2-[(Z)-Isopropylimino]-3-(2,3-dimethylphenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one isobtained following Method A and starting from2,3-dimethylphenylisothiocyanate (3.0 g, 18.38 mmol), isopropylamine(1.09 g, 18.38 mmol), and methyl bromoacetate (2.81 g, 18.38 mmol).LC-MS: t_(R)=0.74 min, [M+1]⁺=263; ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.22-7.14 (m, 2H),6.98-6.93 (m, 1H), 3.98 (s, 2H), 3.48 (hep, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 2.32 (s, 3H),2.02 (s, 3H), 1.10 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 6H).

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2-[(Z)-Isopropylimino]-3-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one isobtained following Method A and starting from2,4-dimethylphenylisothiocyanate (3.0 g, 18.38 mmol), isopropylamine(1.64 g, 27.57 mmol), and methyl bromoacetate (2.81 g, 18.38 mmol).LC-MS: t_(R)=0.75 min, [M+1]⁺=263; ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.12-7.06 (m, 2H),6.98 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 3.98 (s, 2H), 3.49 (hept, J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 2.35(s, 3H), 2.12 (s, 3H), 1.12 (d, J=5.9 Hz, 3H), 1.11 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 3H).

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2-[(Z)-Isopropylimino]-3-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one isobtained following Method A and starting from2,6-dimethylphenylisothiocyanate (3.0 g, 18.38 mmol), isopropylamine(1.09 g, 18.38 mmol), and methyl bromoacetate (2.81 g, 18.38 mmol).LC-MS: t_(R)=0.80 min, [M+1]⁺=263; ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.24-7.10 (m, 3H),4.00 (s, 2H), 3.48 (hept, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 2.14 (s, 6H), 1.10 (d, J=6.4Hz, 6H).

Scaffold 8

2-[(Z)-Isopropylimino]-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one is obtainedfollowing Method A and starting from 2-chlorophenylisothiocyanate (3.0g, 17.68 mmol), isopropylamine (1.04 g, 17.68 mmol), and methylbromoacetate (2.70 g, 17.68 mmol). LC-MS: t_(R)=0.81 min, [M+1]⁺=269; ¹HNMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.53-7.48 (m, 1H), 7.40-7.34 (m, 2H), 7.30-7.24 (m, 1H),4.07-3.93 (m, 2H), 3.48 (hept, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 1.11 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 3H),1.10 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 3H).

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2-[(Z)-Isopropylimino]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one is obtainedfollowing Method A and starting from 2-methoxyphenylisothiocyanate (3.0g, 18.16 mmol), isopropylamine (1.08 g, 18.16 mmol), and methylbromoacetate (2.78 g, 18.16 mmol). LC-MS: t_(R)=0.62 min, [M+1]⁺=265; ¹HNMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.42-7.35 (m, 1H), 7.19-7.14 (m, 1H), 7.06-6.98 (m, 2H),3.80 (s, 3H), 3.55-3.42 (m, 1H), 1.11 (t, 5.9 Hz, 6H).

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2-[(Z)-Isopropylimino]-3-(3-methoxyphenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one is obtainedfollowing Method A and starting from 3-methoxyphenylisothiocyanate (3.0g, 18.16 mmol), isopropylamine (1.08 g, 18.16 mmol), and methylbromoacetate (2.78 g, 18.16 mmol). LC-MS: t_(R)=0.65 min, [M+1]⁺=265; ¹HNMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.35 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 6.95-6.90 (m, 1H), 6.87-6.83 (m,1H), 6.82-6.80 (m, 1H), 3.96 (s, 2H), 3.82 (s, 3H), 3.54-3.45 (m, 1H),1.13 (d, J=5.9 Hz, 6H).

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2-[(Z)-Isopropylimino]-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one is obtainedfollowing Method A and starting from 4-methoxyphenylisothiocyanate (3.0g, 18.16 mmol), isopropylamine (1.08 g, 18.16 mmol), and methylbromoacetate (2.78 g, 18.16 mmol). LC-MS: t_(R)=0.62 min, [M+1]⁺=265; ¹HNMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.20-7.14 (m, 2H), 7.00-6.94 (m, 2H), 3.96 (s, 2H), 3.84(s, 3H), 3.51 (hept, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 1.14 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 6H).

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2-[(Z)-Isopropylimino]-3-allyl-thiazolidin-4-one is obtained followingMethod A and starting from allylisothiocyanate (5.95 g, 60 mmol),isopropylamine (3.55 g, 60 mmol), and methyl bromoacetate (9.18 g, 60mmol). LC-MS: t_(R)=0.55 min, [M+1]⁺=199; ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 5.82-5.69(m, 1H), 5.10-5.02 (m, 2H), 4.17-4.13 (m, 2H), 4.01 (s, 2H), 3.39 (hept,J=6.1 Hz, 1H), 1.10 (d, J=5.9 Hz, 6H).

Scaffold 13

3-Phenyl-2-[(Z)-propylimino]-thiazolidin-4-one is prepared as describedin Method B. LC-MS: t_(R)=0.60 min, [M+1]⁺=235, ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ7.51-7.36 (m, 3H), 7.28-7.24 (m, 2H), 3.99 (s, 2H), 3.27 (t, J=7.0 Hz,2H), 1.60 (hex, J=7.0 Hz, 2H), 0.91 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 3H).

Scaffold 14

2-[(Z)-Propylimino]-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one is obtained followingMethod B and starting from toluidine (2.21 g, 20.6 mmol), chloroacetylchloride (2.32 g, 20.6 mmol) and n-propylisothiocyanate (1.62 g, 16.0mmol). LC-MS: t_(R)=0.68 min, [M+1]⁺=249. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.34-7.26(m, 3H), 7.14-7.09 (m, 1H), 4.01 (s, 2H), 3.34-3.18 (m, 2H), 2.18 (s,3H), 1.58 (hept, J=7.0 Hz, 2H), 0.88 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 3H).

Scaffold 15

2-[(Z)-Propylimino]-3-(2,3-dimethylphenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one is obtainedfollowing Method B and starting from 2,3-dimethylaniline (3.36 g, 27.8mmol), chloroacetyl chloride (3.14 g, 27.7 mmol) andn-propylisothiocyanate (2.05 g, 20.2 mmol). LC-MS: t_(R)=0.71 min,[M+1]⁺=263. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.22-7.16 (m, 2H), 6.98-6.94 (m, 1H), 4.00(s, 2H), 3.34-3.18 (m, 2H), 2.32 (s, 3H), 2.05 (s, 3H), 1.57 (hex, J=7.3Hz, 2H), 0.88 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 3H).

Scaffold 16

2-[(Z)-tert.-Butylimino]-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one (6.79 g) isobtained as an off-white crystalline powder following Method A andstarting from phenylisothiocyanate (5.0 g, 37.0 mmol), tert. butylamine(2.71 g, 37.0 mmol), and methyl bromoacetate (5.66 g, 37.0 mmol). LC-MS:t_(R)=0.69 min, [M+1]⁺=249, ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.46-7.31 (m, 3H),7.24-7.19 (m, 2H), 3.98 (s, 2H), 1.26 (s, 9H).

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2-[(Z)-(Dimethyl-hydrazono)]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one is obtainedfollowing Method A and starting from phenylisothiocyanate (4.05 g, 30.0mmol), dimethylhydrazine (asym.) (1.80 g, 30.0 mmol), and methylbromoacetate (4.59 g, 30.0 mmol). LC-MS: t_(R)=0.69 min, [M+1]⁺=236, ¹HNMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.50-7.36 (m, 3H), 7.32-7.28 (m, 2H), 3.82 (s, 2H), 2.48(s, 6H).

Scaffold 18

2-[(Z)-Ethylimino]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one (1.02 g) is obtained as anoff-white powder following Method B and starting from2-chloro-N-phenyl-acetamide (7.50 g, 44.2 mmol) and ethylisothiocyanate(3.85 g, 44.2 mmol). LC-MS: t_(R)=0.48 min, [M+1]⁺=221. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃):δ 7.52-7.37 (m, 3H), 7.29-7.27 (m, 2H), 4.01 (s, 2H), 3.37 (q, J=7.6 Hz,2H), 1.20 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 3H).

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2-[(Z)-Ethylimino]-3-(2-methylphenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one is preparedfollowing Method B and starting from o-tolylamine, chloroacetyl chlorideand ethylisothiocyanate. LC-MS: t_(R)=0.59 min, [M+1]⁺=235, ¹H NMR(CDCl₃): δ 7.36-7.28 (m, 3H), 7.15-7.10 (m, 1H), 4.01 (s, 2H), 3.41-3.30(m, 2H), 2.19 (s, 3H), 1.20-1.13 (m, 3H).

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2-[(Z)-Ethylimino]-3-(2,3-dimethylphenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one is preparedfollowing Method B and starting from 2,3-dimethylaniline, chloroacetylchloride and ethylisothiocyanate. LC-MS: t_(R)=0.66 min, [M+1]⁺=249, ¹HNMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.24-7.19 (m, 2H), 7.00-6.96 (m, 1H), 4.01 (s, 2H),3.45-3.27 (m, 2H), 2.34 (s, 3H), 2.05 (s, 3H), 1.16 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 3H).

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2-[(Z)-n-butylimino]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one (1.80 g) is obtained asa pale beige powder following Method B and starting from2-chloro-N-phenyl-acetamide (7.50 g, 44.2 mmol) andn-butylisothiocyanate (5.09 g, 44.2 mmol). LC-MS: t_(R)=0.69 min,[M+1]⁺=249. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.51-7.37 (m, 3H), 7.29-7.25 (m, 2H), 4.00(s, 2H), 3.31 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 2H), 1.62-1.52 (m, 2H), 1.41-1.28 (m, 2H),0.92 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 3H).

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2-[(Z)-n-butylimino]-3-(2-methylphenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one is preparedfollowing Method B and starting from o-tolylamine, chloroacetyl chlorideand n-butylisothiocyanate. LC-MS: t_(R)=0.77 min, [M+1]⁺=263, ¹H NMR(CDCl₃): δ 7.35-7.28 (m, 3H), 7.14-7.10 (m, 1H), 4.01 (s, 2H), 3.38-3.22(, 2H), 2.18 (s, 3H), 1.59-1.47 (m, 2H), 1.38-1.25 (m, 2H), 0.90 (t,J=7.0 Hz, 3H).

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2-[(Z)-n-butylimino]-3-(2,3-dimethylphenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one isprepared following Method B and starting from 2,3-dimethylaniline,chloroacetyl chloride and n-butylisothiocyanate. LC-MS: t_(R)=0.80 min,[M+1]⁺=277, ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.23-7.16 (m, 2H), 6.99-6.94 (m, 1H), 4.01(s, 2H), 3.38-3.23 (m, 2H), 2.33 (s, 3H), 2.05 (s, 3H), 1.59-1.49 (m,2H), 1.38-1.25 (m, 2H), 0.91 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 3H).

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rac-2-[(Z)-sec-Butylimino]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one (6.98 g) isobtained as a white powder following Method A and starting fromsec-butylamine (2.70 g, 36.98 mmol), phenylisothiocyanate (5.00 g, 36.98mmol) and methyl bromoacetate (5.66 g, 36.98 mmol). LC-MS: t_(R)=0.68min, [M+1]⁺=249, ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.48-7.33 (m, 3H), 7.28-7.23 (m, 2H),3.96 (s, 2H), 3.21 (hex, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 1.52-1.39 (m, 2H), 1.09 (d,J=6.4 Hz, 3H), 0.82 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 3H).

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2-[(Z)-Cyclopropylimino]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one (1.62 g) is obtainedas a white powder following Method A and starting from cyclopropylamine(0.84 g, 14.8 mmol), phenylisothiocyanate (2.00 g, 14.8 mmol) and methylbromoacetate (2.26 g, 14.8 mmol). LC-MS: t_(R)=0.64 min, [M+1]⁺=233, ¹HNMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.47-7.33 (m, 3H), 7.24-7.20 (m, 2H), 4.00 (s, 2H), 2.67(hept, J=3.5 Hz, 1H), 0.82-0.75 (m, 2H), 0.64-0.59 (m, 2H).

Scaffold 26

3-Cyclohexyl-2-[(Z)-isopropylimino]-thiazolidin-4-one is preparedstarting from cyclohexylamine, chloroacetyl chloride andisopropylisothiocyanate following Method B. LC-MS: t_(R)=0.83 min,[M+1]⁺=241, ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 4.30 (tt, J=3.6, 12.0 Hz, 1H), 3.69 (s,2H), 3.37 (hep, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 2.40-2.25 (m, 2H), 1.84-1.75 (m, 2H),1.64-1.50 (m, 2H), 1.40-1.20 (m, 4H), 1.14 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 6H).

Scaffold 27

2-[(Z)-Isopropylimino]-3-isopropyl-thiazolidin-4-one (2.68 g) isobtained as a colourless oil following Method A and starting fromisopropylamine (1.17 g, 19.8 mmol), isopropylisothiocyanate (2.00 g,19.8 mmol) and methyl bromoacetate (3.02 g, 19.8 mmol). LC-MS:t_(R)=0.61 min, [M+1]⁺=201, ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 4.73 (hept, J=7.0 Hz, 1H),3.71 (s, 2H), 3.40 (hept, J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 1.42 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 6H), 1.17(d, J=6.0 Hz, 6H).

Scaffold 28

2-[(Z)-Isopropylimino]-3-(2-ethylphenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one (5.07 g) isobtained as an off-white powder following Method A and starting fromisopropylamine (1.98 g, 33.5 mmol), 2-ethylphenylisothiocyanate (5.0 g,30.8 mmol) and methyl bromoacetate (5.12 g, 33.5 mmol). LC-MS:t_(R)=0.90 min, [M+1]⁺=223, ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.41-7.26 (m, 3H), 7.08(d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 3.99 (s, 2H), 3.48 (hept, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 2.49 (q,J=7.6 Hz, 2H), 1.19 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 3H), 1.09 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 6H).

Scaffold 29

2-[(Z)-Isopropylimino]-3-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-naphthalen-1-yl)-thiazolidin-4-oneis obtained as a yellow solid following Method B and starting from5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-naphthalen-1-ylamine, chloroacetyl chloride andisopropylisothiocyanate. LC-MS: t_(R)=0.81 min, [M+1]⁺=289, ¹H NMR(CDCl₃): δ 7.23-7.13 (m, 2H), 6.96-6.91 (m, 1H), 3.99 (s, 2H), 3.50(hept, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 2.86-2.80 (m, 2H), 2.52-2.45 (m, 2H), 1.84-1.74(m, 4H), 1.13 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 6H).

Scaffold 30

2-[(Z)-Isopropylimino]-3-(3-chloro-2-methylphenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one(2.7 g) is obtained as an oil following Method A and starting fromisopropylamine (1.29 g, 21.8 mmol),3-chloro-2-methylphenylisothiocyanate (4.0 g, 21.8 mmol) and methylbromoacetate (3.33 g, 21.8 mmol). LC-MS: t_(R)=086 min, [M+1]⁺=283, ¹HNMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.48-7.44 (m, 1H), 7.30-7.23 (m, 1H), 7.10-7.06 (m, 1H),3.51 (hept, J=6.2 Hz, 1H), 2.21 (s, 3H), 1.15 (d, J=6.2 Hz, 3H), 1.13(d, J=6.2 Hz, 3H).

Scaffold 31

2-[(Z)-Isopropylimino]-3-(3-chloro-4-methylphenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one(4.0 g) is obtained as pale yellow solid following Method A and startingfrom isopropylamine (1.72 g, 29.0 mmol),3-chloro-4-methylphenylisothiocyanate (5.33 g, 29.0 mmol) and methylbromoacetate (4.44 g, 29.0 mmol). LC-MS: t_(R)=0.80 min, [M+1]⁺=283, ¹HNMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.33 (s, 1H), 7.30-7.27 (m, 2H), 3.96 (s, 2H), 3.49(hept, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 2.40 (s, 3H), 1.14 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 6H).

Scaffold 32

2-[(Z)-Isopropylimino]-3-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one(2.77 g) is obtained as an oil following Method A and starting fromisopropylamine (1.50 g, 25.4 mmol),3-trifluoromethylphenylisothiocyanate (5.17 g, 25.4 mmol) and methylbromoacetate (3.89 g, 25.4 mmol). LC-MS: t_(R)=0.88 min, [M+1]⁺=303, ¹HNMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.65-7.46 (m, 4H), 3.98 (s, 2H), 3.50 (hept, J=6.4 Hz,1H), 1.13 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 6H).

Scaffold 33

2-[(Z)-Isopropylimino]-3-(3-chlorophenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one (1.0 g) isobtained as an oil following Method A and starting from isopropylamine(1.67 g, 28.3 mmol), 3-chlorophenylisothiocyanate (4.80 g, 28.3 mmol)and methyl bromoacetate (4.33 g, 28.3 mmol). LC-MS: t_(R)=0.77 min,[M+1]⁺=269, ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.41-7.28 (m, 3H), 7.20-7.15 (m, 1H), 3.96(s, 2H), 3.53-3.44 (m, 1H), 1.13 (d, 5.9 Hz, 6H).

Scaffold 34

2-[(Z)-allyl]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one is obtained as a yellow powderfollowing Method B and starting from aniline, chloroacetyl chloride andallylisothiocyanate. LC-MS: t_(R)=0.63 min, [M+1]⁺=233, ¹H NMR (CDCl₃):δ 7.52-7.38 (m, 3H), 7.31-7.25 (m, 2H), 5.96-5.82 (m, 1H), 5.20-5.06 (m,2H), 4.01 (s, 2H), 3.99-3.95 (m, 2H).

Scaffold 35

2-[(Z)-allylimino]-3-allyl-thiazolidin-4-one (3.12 g) is obtained as apale yellow oil following Method A and starting from allylamine (1.15 g,20.2 mmol), allylisothiocyanate (2.0 g, 20.2 mmol) and methylbromoacetate (3.08 g, 20.2 mmol). LC-MS: t_(R)=0.66 min, [M+1]⁺=197; ¹HNMR (CDCl₃): δ 6.02-5.79 (m, 2H), 5.29-5.25 (m, 1H), 5.22-5.18 (m, 1H),5.17-5.09 (m, 2H), 4.38-4.35 (m, 2H), 3.95 (dt, J_(d)=5.3 Hz, J_(t)=1.7Hz, 2H), 3.83 (s, 2H).

Scaffold 36

2-[(Z)-Methylimino]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one is obtained as a beigesolid following Method B and starting from aniline, chloroacetylchloride and methylisothiocyanate. LC-MS: t_(R)=0.37 min, [M+1]⁺=207, ¹HNMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.52-7.38 (m, 3H), 7.28-7.24 (m, 2H), 4.01 (s, 2H), 3.13(s, 3H).

Scaffold 37

2-[(Z)-Methylimino]-3-(2,3-dimethylphenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one is obtainedas a pale orange solid following Method B and starting from2,3-dimethylaniline, chloroacetyl chloride and methylisothiocyanate.LC-MS: t_(R)=0.59 min, [M+1]⁺=235, ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.24-7.19 (m, 2H),7.00-6.95 (m, 1H), 4.04 (s, 2H), 3.12 (s, 3H), 2.33 (s, 3H), 2.06 (s,3H).

Example 1

5-Benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-ylmeth-(Z)-ylidene-2-[(Z)-isopropylimino]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-oneis prepared as described in Method C.

LC-MS: t_(R)=1.06 min, [M+1]⁺=367.

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.70 (s, 1H), 7.52-7.32 (m, 5H), 7.12-7.07 (m, 2H),6.92 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 6.06 (s, 2H), 3.61 (hept, J=6.1 Hz, 1H), 1.21(d, J=6.4 Hz, 6H).

Example 2

5-(2,3-Dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-ylmeth-(Z)-ylidene)-2-[(Z)-isopropylimino]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-oneis obtained starting from Scaffold 1 (19 mg, 0.08 mmol) and2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxine-6-carbaldehyde (26 mg, 0.16 mmol)following Method E.

LC-MS: t_(R)=1.05 min, [M+1]⁺=381.

Example 3

5-(4-Dimethylamino-benz-(Z)-ylidene)-2-[(Z)-isopropylimino]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-oneis obtained starting from Scaffold 1 (19 mg, 0.08 mmol) and4-dimethylamino-benzaldehyde (24 mg, 0.16 mmol) following Method E.LC-MS: t_(R)=1.09 min, [M+1]⁺=379.

Example 4

5-[4-(2-Hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz-(Z)-ylidene]-2-[(Z)-isopropylimino]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-oneis prepared as described in Method D.

LC-MS: t_(R)=0.94 min, [M+1]⁺=383.

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.74 (s, 1H), 7.56-7.44 (m, 4H), 7.42-7.32 (m, 3H),7.04-6.99 (m, 2H), 4.17-4.13 (m, 2H), 4.03-3.97 (m, 2H), 3.60 (hept,J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 2.01 (s br, 1H), 1.19 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 6H).

Example 5

A mixture of5-[4-(2-Hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz-(Z)-ylidene]-2-[(Z)-isopropylimino]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one(75 mg, 0.196 mmol, Example 4), K₂CO₃ (81 mg, 0.588 mmol), and methylchloroacetate (250 L) in DMF (2 mL) is stirred at 60° C. for 96 h beforeit is diluted with EA (75 mL) and washed with 10% aq. citric acid (50mL) and water (2×50 mL). The organic layer is evaporated and theresulting residue is purified by prep. TLC (heptane/EA 1:1) followed bycrystallisation from a small amount of methanol to give{2-[4-(2-[(Z)-isopropylimino]-4-oxo-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-5-ylidene-methyl)-phenoxy]-ethoxy}-aceticacid. LC-MS: t_(R)=1.06 min, [M+1]⁺=441. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.73 (s, 1H),7.55-7.44 (m, 4H), 7.42-7.32 (m, 3H), 7.03-6.98 (m, 2H), 4.55-4.50 (m,2H), 4.29-4.25 (m, 2H), 3.83 (s, 2H), 3.60 (hept, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 1.19(d, J=6.4 Hz, 6H).

Example 6

After purification on prep. TLC plates,rac-5-{4-[2-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-ethoxy]-benz-(Z)-ylidene}-2-[(Z)-isopropylimino]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-oneis obtained as a pale beige foam starting from Scaffold 1 (150 mg, 0.604mmol) and rac-4-[2-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-ethoxy]-benzaldehyde (290 mg,1.208 mmol) following Method D. LC-MS: t_(R)=0.99 min, [M+1]⁺=471; ¹HNMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.73 (s, 1H), 7.55-7.51 (m, 2H), 7.35-7.28 (m, 3H),7.20-7.15 (m, 1H), 7.04-6.98 (m, 2H), 4.20 (t, J=4.7 Hz, 2H), 3.94-3.88(m, 3H), 3.77-3.55 (m, 5H), 2.65 (s br, 1H), 2.19 (s, 3H), 2.08 (s br,1H), 1.17 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 3H), 1.16 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 3H).

Example 7

5-[3-Chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz-(Z)-ylidene]-2-[(Z)-isopropylimino]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-oneis obtained as pale yellow powder starting from3-chloro-4-(2-acetoxy-ethoxy)-benzaldehyde (311 mg, 1.28 mmol) andScaffold 1 (150 mg, 0.64 mmol) following Method D. LC-MS: t_(R)=1.01min, [M+1]⁺=417; ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.654 (s, 1H), 7.61 (d, J=2.3 Hz,1H), 7.51-7.32 (m, 6H), 7.03 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 4.24-4.20 (m, 2H),4.06-4.01 (m, 2H), 3.60 (hept, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 2.15 (s br, 1H), 1.19 (d,J=6.4 Hz, 6H).

Example 8

5-[3-Fluoro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz-(Z)-ylidene]-2-[(Z)-isopropylimino]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-oneis prepared following Method D and starting from4-(2-acetoxy-ethoxy)-3-fluoro-benzaldehyde (390 mg, 1.7 mmol) andScaffold 1 (200 mg, 0.85 mmol). LC-MS: t_(R)=0.98 min, [M+1]⁺=401; ¹HNMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.66 (s, 1H), 7.51-7.28 (m, 7H), 7.06 (t, J=8.2 Hz, 1H),4.24-4.20 (m, 2H), 4.06-4.00 (m, 2H), 3.60 (hept, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 2.11 (tbr, 1H), 1.19 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 6H).

Example 9

5-[4-(2-Hydroxy-ethoxy)-3-methyl-benz-(Z)-ylidene]-2-[(Z)-isopropylimino]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-oneis obtained as an off-white powder starting from4-(2-acetoxy-ethoxy)-3-methylbenzaldehyde (284 mg, 1.28 mmol) andScaffold 1 (150 mg, 0.64 mmol) following Method D. LC-MS: t_(R)=0.98min, [M+1]⁺=397; ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.69 (s, 1H), 7.49-7.30 (m, 7H), 6.90(d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 4.17-4.12 (m, 2H), 4.03-3.98 (m, 2H), 3.59 (hept,J=6,4 Hz, 1H), 2.30 (s, 3H), 1.95 (s br, 1H), 1.17 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 6H).

Example 10

5-[4-(2-Hydroxy-ethoxy)-3-methoxy-benz-(Z)-ylidene]-2-[(Z)-isopropylimino]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-oneis obtained as a pale yellow powder starting from4-(2-acetoxy-ethoxy)-3-methoxy-benzaldehyde (305 mg, 1.28 mmol) andScaffold 1 (150 mg, 0.64 mmol) following Method D. LC-MS: t_(R)=0.95min, [M+1]⁺=413; ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.72 (s, 1H), 7.51-7.45 (m, 2H),7.42-7.39 (m, 1H), 7.37-7.32 (m, 2H), 7.18 (dd, J=2.3, 8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.08(d, J=2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.00 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 4.22-4.17 (m, 2H), 4.06-3.98(m, 3H), 3.95 (s, 3H), 3.60 (hept, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 1.22 (d, J=6.4 Hz,3H), 1.19 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 3H).

Example 11

5-[4-(3-Hydroxy-propoxy)-benz-(Z)-ylidene]-2-[(Z)-isopropylimino]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-oneis obtained starting from Scaffold 1 (150 mg, 0.640 mmol) and4-(3-hydroxy-propoxy)-benzaldehyde (173 mg, 0.960 mmol) following MethodD. LC-MS: t_(R)=0.97 min, [M+1]⁺=397. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.73 (s, 1H),7.55-7.33 (m, 7H), 7.02-6.97 (m, 2H), 4.19 (t, J=5.9 Hz, 2H), 3.89 (t,J=5.9 Hz, 2H), 3.60 (hept, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 2.09 (p, J=5.9 Hz, 2H), 1.19(d, J=6.4 Hz, 6H).

Example 12

rac-5-[4-(2,3-Dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz-(Z)-ylidene]-2-[(Z)-isopropylimino]-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-oneis obtained as an off-white powder starting fromrac-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benzaldehyde (335 mg, 1.70 mmol) andScaffold 1 (200 mg, 0.85 mmol) following Method D. LC-MS: t_(R)=0.86min, [M+1]⁺=413. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.73 (s, 1H), 7.55-7.45 (m, 4H),7.43-7.32 (m, 3H), 7.03-6.99 (m, 2H), 4.16-4.10 (m, 3H), 3.91-3.84 (m,1H), 3.81-3.74 (m, 1H), 3.60 (hept, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 2.56 (s br, 1H), 1.95(s br, 1H); 1.19 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 6H).

Example 13

rac-5-[3-Chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz-(Z)-ylidene]-2-[(Z)-isopropylimino]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-oneis obtained as pale olive powder starting fromrac-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-3-chloro-benzaldehyde (295 mg, 1.28 mmol)and Scaffold 1 (150 mg, 0.64 mmol) following Method D. LC-MS: t_(R)=0.94min, [M+1]⁺=447. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.64 (s, 1H), 7.59 (d, J=2.3 Hz, 1H),7.50-7.30 (m, 6H), 7.01 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 4.25-4.13 (m, 3H), 3.92-3.80(m, 2H), 3.59 (hept, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 2.70 (s br, 1H), 2.05 (s br, 1H),1.18 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 6H).

Example 14

rac-5-(3-Hydroxymethyl-2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-ylmeth-(Z)-ylene)-2-[(Z)-isopropylimino-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-oneis obtained as almost colourless crystals (EA/methanol) starting fromrac-2-hydroxymethyl-2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxine-6-carbaldehyde (210mg, 1.08 mmol) and Scaffold 1 (150 mg, 0.64 mmol) following Method D.LC-MS: t_(R)=0.97 min, [M+1]⁺=411. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.58 (s, 1H),7.42-7.35 (m, 2H), 7.33-7.24 (m, 3H), 7.06-7.01 (m, 2H), 6.92-6.89 (m,1H), 4.42-4.35 (m, 1H), 4.30-4.23 (m, 3H), 4.03 (dd, J=7.0, 11.1, 1H),3.51 (hept, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 1.10 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 6H).

Examples 15 to 25

Starting from Scaffold 2, the following examples are prepared:

Scale LC-MS Example R Method (mmol) t_(R) [M + 1]⁺ 15

C 0.604 1.10 381 16

E 0.200 1.09 395 17

C 0.604 1.03 380 18

D 0.400 0.98 397 19

D 0.604 0.91 471 20

D 0.604 1.04 431 21

D 0.604 1.02 411 22

D 0.604 0.98 427 23

D 0.604 1.01 411 24

D 0.604 0.96 461 25

D 0.650 1.01 425

Example 15

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.69 (s, 1H), 7.34-7.27 (m, 3H), 7.20-7.14 (m, 1H),7.12-7.07 (m, 2H), 6.91 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H), 6.06 (s, 2H), 3.58 (hept,J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 2.19 (s, 3H), 1.18 (d, J=5.9 Hz, 3H), 1.17 (d, J=5.9 Hz,3H).

Example 20

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.65 (s, 1H), 7.62 (d, J=2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.45 (dd, J=2.3,8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.36-7.29 (m, 3H), 7.20-7.15 (m, 1H), 7.03 (d, J=8.8 Hz,1H), 4.24-4.20 (m, 2H), 4.07-4.01 (m, 2H), 3.59 (hept, J=5.9 Hz, 1H),2.18 (s, 3H), 2.14 (s br, 1H), 1.18 (d, J=5.9 Hz, 3H), 1.16 (d, J=5.9Hz, 3H).

Example 23

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.73 (s, 1H), 7.55-7.50 (m, 2H), 7.35-7.27 (m, 3H),7.20-7.15 (m, 1H), 7.02-6.98 (m, 2H), 4.20 (t, J=5.9 Hz, 2H), 3.88 (t,J=5.9 Hz, 2H), 3.58 (hept, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 2.18 (s, 3H), 2.09 (p, J=5.9Hz, 2H), 1.17 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 3H), 1.16 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 3H).

Example 24

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.63 8s, 1H), 7.59 8d, J=2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.43 (dd, J=2.3,8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.35-7.26 (m, 3H), 7.17-7.13 (m, 1H), 7.01 (d, J=8.8 Hz,1H), 4.24-4.13 (m, 3H), 3.91-3.79 (m, 2H), 3.57 (hept, J=5.9 Hz, 1H),2.74 (s br, 1H), 2.16 (s, 3H), 1.17 (d, J=5.9 Hz, 3H), 2.15 (d, J=5.9Hz, 3H).

Examples 26 to 31

Starting from Scaffold 3, the following examples are prepared:

Ex- LC-MS am- Meth- Scale [M + ple R od (mmol) t_(R) 1]⁺ 26

E 0.200 1.08 381 27

E 0.200 1.08 395 28

E 0.200 1.01 380 29

D 0.400 0.97 397 30

D 0.604 1.04 431 31

D 0.604 0.97 461

Example 31

¹H NMR (CDCl₃) ε 7.64 (s, 1H), 7.60 (d, J=2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.44 (dd, J=2.3,8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.39-7.33 (m, 1H), 7.23-7.19 (m, 1H), 7.15-7.10 (m, 2H),7.02 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 4.25-4.15 (m, 3H), 3.93-3.80 (m, 2H), 3.60(hept, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 2.75 (s br, 1H), 2.41 (s, 3H), 1.85 (s br, 1H),1.21 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 6H).

Examples 32 to 36

Starting from Scaffold 4, the following examples have been prepared:

Ex- LC-MS am- Meth- Scale [M + ple R od (mmol) t_(R) 1]⁺ 32

E 0.200 1.09 381 33

E 0.200 1.09 395 34

D 0.400 0.97 397 35

D 0.604 1.05 431 36

D 0.604 0.98 461

Example 35

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.64 (s, 1H), 7.60 (d, J=2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.44 (dd, J=2.3,8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.30-7.19 (m, 4H), 7.02 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 4.23-4.19 (m,2H), 4.07-4.00 (m, 2H), 3.59 (hept, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 2.40 (s, 3H), 2.14 (sbr, 1H), 1.19 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 6H).

Examples 37 to 47

Starting from Scaffold 5, the following examples have been prepared:

Scale LC-MS Example R Method (mmol) t_(R) [M + 1]⁺ 37

E 0.200 1.11 395 38

E 0.200 1.11 409 39

E 0.200 1.05 394 40

D 0.763 0.99 411 41

D 0.572 0.93 485 42

D 0.572 1.06 445 43

D 0.572 1.03 429 44

D 0.572 1.03 425 45

D 0.572 1.00 441 46

D 0.572 0.98 475 47

D 0.650 1.00 439

Example 40

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.73 (s, 1H), 7.56-7.51 (m, 2H), 7.24-7.18 (m, 2H),7.06-7.00 (m, 3H), 4.18-4.14 (m, 2H), 4.04-3.98 (m, 2H), 3.50 (hep,J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 2.35 (s, 3H), 2.05 (s, 3H), 2.00 (s br, 1H), 1.18 (d,J=6.4 Hz, 3H), 1.17 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 3H).

Example 47

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.57 (s, 1H), 7.17-7.00 (m, 4H), 6.97-6.85 (m, 2H),4.30-4.18 (m, 2H), 4.11-4.03 (m, 1H), 3.86-3.70 (m, 2H), 3.49 (hept,J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 2.26 (s, 3H), 1.95 (s, 3H), 1.07 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 6H).

Examples 48 and 49

Starting from Scaffold 6, the following examples are prepared:

Scale LC-MS Example R Method (mmol) t_(R) [M + 1]⁺ 48

E 0.200 1.12 409 49

D 0.762 1.00 411

Example 48

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.72 (s, 1H), 7.56-7.50 (m, 2H), 7.14-6.98 (m, 5H),4.17-4.12 (m, 2H), 4.02-3.96 (m, 2H), 3.58 (hept, J=6.2 Hz, 1H), 2.37(s, 3H), 2.14 (s, 3H), 2.04 (s br, 1H), 1.17 (d, J=6.2 Hz, 3H), 1.16 (d,J=6.2 Hz, 3H).

Examples 50 to 51

Starting from Scaffold 7, the following examples are prepared:

Scale LC-MS Example R Method (mmol) t_(R) [M + 1]⁺ 50

E 0.200 1.13 409 51

D 0.762 1.02 411

Example 51

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.73 (s, 1H), 7.57-7.52 (m, 2H), 7.27-7.21 (m, 1H),7.17-7.12 (m, 2H), 7.04-6.99 (m, 2H), 4.18-4.13 (m, 2H), 4.03-3.98 (m,2H), 3.57 (hept, J=6.1 Hz, 1H), 2.15 (s, 6H), 2.01 (s br, 1H), 1.16 (d,J=6.4 Hz, 6H).

Examples 52 to 57

Starting from Scaffold 8, the following examples are prepared:

Ex- LC-MS am- Meth- Scale [M + ple R od (mmol) t_(R) 1]⁺ 52

E 0.200 1.11 401 53

E 0.200 1.11 415 54

E 0.200 1.09 400 55

D 0.744 0.99 417 56

D 0.558 1.05 451 57

D 0.558 0.98 481

Example 55

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.74 (s, 1H), 7.56-7.50 (m, 3H), 7.41-7.32 (m, 3H),7.04-7.00 (m, 2H), 4.18-4.13 (m, 2H), 4.04-3.98 (m, 2H), 3.58 (hept,J=6.1 Hz, 1H), 2.01 (s br, 1H), 1.17 (d, J=5.9 Hz, 3H), 1.16 (d, J=6.4Hz, 3H).

Example 58

5-(2,3-Dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxin-6-ylmeth-(Z)-ylidene)-2-[(Z)-isopropylimino]-3-(2-methoxyphenyl)-thiazolidin-4-oneis obtained starting from Scaffold 9 (53 mg, 0.200 mmol) and2,3-dihydro-benzo[1,4]dioxine-6-carbaldehyde (49 mg, 0.300 mmol)following Method C. LC-MS: t_(R)=1.03 min, [M+1]⁺=411.

Examples 58 to 60

Starting from Scaffold 9, the following examples are prepared:

Exam- Meth- Scale LC-MS ple R od (mmol) t_(R) [M + 1]⁺ 58

C 0.200 1.03 411 59

D 0.378 0.92 413 60

D 0.567 0.99 447

Example 60

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.55 (s, 1H), 7.52 (d, J=2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.38-7.29 (m,2H), 7.15 (dd, J=1.8, 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.00-6.92 (m, 3H), 4.15-4.11 (m, 2H),3.98-3.93 (m, 2H), 3.72 (s, 3H), 3.50 (hept, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 2.08 (s br,1H), 1.09 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 3H), 1.08 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 3H).

Examples 61 and 62

Starting from Scaffold 10, the following examples are prepared:

Scale LC-MS Example R Method (mmol) t_(R) [M + 1]⁺ 61

E 0.200 1.06 411 62

D 0.380 0.95 413

Example 63 to 65

Starting from Scaffold 11, the following examples are prepared:

Exam- Meth- Scale LC-MS ple R od (mmol) t_(R) [M + 1]⁺ 63

E 0.200 1.05 411 64

D 0.380 0.93 413 65

D 0.567 0.99 447

Example 66 to 71

Starting from Scaffold 12, the following examples are prepared:

Ex- LC-MS am- Meth- Scale [M + ple R od (mmol) t_(R) 1]⁺ 66

E 0.200 1.07 331 67

E 0.080 1.05 345 68

C 20.0 0.99 330.2 69

D 0.757 0.94 347 70

D 0.756 1.02 381 71

D 0.756 0.94 411

Example 68

¹H NMR (D₆-DMSO): δ 7.55 (s, 1H), 7.46-7.42 (m, 2H), 6.82-6.76 (m, 2H),5.90-5.76 (m, 1H), 5.13-5.02 (m, 2H), 4.36-4.27 (m, 2H), 3.50 (hept,J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 2.99 (s, 6H), 1.16 (d, J=5.9 Hz, 6H).

Example 69

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.66 (s, 1H), 7.51-7.46 (m, 2H), 7.01-6.96 (m, 2H),5.96-5.83 (m, 1H), 5.28-5.14 (m, 2H), 4.49-4.44 (m, 2H), 4.16-4.12 (m,2H), 4.03-3.96 (m, 2H), 3.55 (hept, J=6.1 Hz, 1H), 2.01 (t br, J=5 Hz,1H), 1.24 (d, J=5.9 Hz, 6H).

Examples 72 to 77

Starting from Scaffold 13, the following examples are prepared:

Ex- LC-MS am- Meth- Scale [M + ple R od (mmol) t_(R) 1]⁺ 72

C 0.640 1.06 367 73

C 0.333 1.05 381 74

D 0.854 0.95 383 75

D 1.067 1.01 417 76

D 1.067 0.97 397 77

D 0.640 0.94 447

Example 74

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.74 (s, 1H), 7.56-7.44 (m, 4H), 7.43-7.32 (m, 3H),7.03-6.98 (m, 2H), 4.18-4.13 (m, 2H), 4.04-3.96 (m, 2H), 3.38 (t, J=6.6Hz, 2H), 2.01 (s br, 1H), 1.72-1.59 (m, 2H), 0.95 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 3H).

Example 76

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.72 (s, 1H), 7.53-7.33 (m, 7H), 6.93 (d, J=8.8 Hz,1H), 4.19-4.15 (m, 2H), 4.06-4.00 (m, 2H), 3.40 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 2H), 2.33(s, 3H), 1.98 (t br, J=6 Hz, 1H), 1.67 (hex, J=7.0 Hz, 2H), 0.96 (t,J=7.0 Hz, 3H).

Example 78 to 86

Starting from Scaffold 14, the following examples are prepared:

Ex- LC-MS am- Meth- Scale [M + ple R od (mmol) t_(R) 1]⁺ 78

C 0.805 1.08 381 79

C 0.805 1.08 395 80

D 0.805 0.96 397 81

D 0.427 0.99 411 82

D 0.805 1.03 431 83

D 0.604 1.01 411 84

D 0.604 0.96 461 85

F 0.351 0.96 461 86

F 0.314 0.96 461

Example 80

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.74 (s, 1H), 7.57-7.52 (m, 2H), 7.36-7.28 (m, 3H),7.20-7.16 (m, 1H), 7.05-7.00 (m, 2H), 4.18-4.14 (m, 2H), 4.04-3.98 (m,2H), 3.46-3.30 (m, 2H), 2.20 (s, 3H), 2.00 (s br, 1H), 1.68-1.56 (m,2H), 0.93 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 3H).

Example 81

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.74 (s, 1H), 7.56-7.51 (m, 2H), 7.35-7.28 (m, 3H),7.20-7.15 (m, 1H), 7.03-6.98 (m, 2H), 4.20 (t, J=5.9 Hz, 2H), 3.89 (t,J=5.9 Hz, 2H), 3.49-3.30 (m, 2H), 2.20 (s, 3H), 2.15-2.03 (m, 2H),1.68-1.55 (m, 2H), 0.92 (t, J=7.6 HZ, 3H).

Example 86

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.66 (s, 1H), 7.62 (d, J=2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.47 (dd, J=2.3,8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.36-7.28 (m, 3H), 7.21-7.16 (m, 1H), 7.05 (d, J=8.8 Hz,1H), 4.25-4.16 (m, 3H), 3.94-3.82 (m, 2H), 3.45-3.30 (m, 2H), 2.72 (d,J=4.1 Hz, 1H), 2.20 (s, 3H), 2.07 (t, J=6.2 Hz, 1H), 1.63 (hex, J=7.0Hz, 2H), 0.93 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 3H).

Example 87 to 95

Starting from Scaffold 15, the following examples are prepared:

Scale LC-MS Example R Method (mmol) t_(R) [M + 1]⁺ 87

C 0.762 1.09 395 88

C 0.762 1.10 409 89

D 0.762 0.98 411 90

D 0.762 0.92 485 91

D 1.906 1.05 445 92

D 0.572 1.02 425 93

D 0.762 0.99 441 94

D 0.762 0.90 441 95

D 0.572 0.98 475

Example 87

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.69 (s, 1H), 7.23-7.18 (m, 2H), 7.13-7.08 (m, 2H),7.04-7.00 (m, 1H), 6.93-6.90 (m, 1H), 6.06 (s, 2H), 3.46-3.30 (m, 2H),2.34 (s, 3H), 2.07 (s, 3H), 1.70-1.55 (m, 2H), 0.92 8t, J=7.6 Hz, 3H).

Example 89

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.74 (s, 1H), 7.57-7.52 (m, 2H), 7.23-7.20 (m, 2H),7.05-7.00 (m, 3H), 4.18-4.14 (m, 2H), 4.03-3.98 (m, 2H), 3.48-3.30 (m,2H), 2.35 (s, 3H), 2.07 (s, 3H), 1.67-1.57 (m, 2H), 0.93 (t, J=7.6 Hz,3H).

Examples 96 and 97

Starting from Scaffold 16 the following examples are prepared:

Ex- Meth- Scale LC-MS ample R od (mmol) t_(R) [M + 1]⁺ 96

C 0.08 1.11 395 97

D 0.604 1.08 431

Example 98 to 101

Starting from Scaffold 17, the following examples are prepared:

Ex- Meth- Scale LC-MS ample R od (mmol) t_(R) [M + 1]⁺⁺ 98

C 0.850 1.06 368 99

E 0.08 1.04 382 100

D 0.850 0.95 384 101

D 0.638 1.01 418

Example 98

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.68 (s, 1H), 7.53-7.35 (m, 5H), 7.14-7.10 (m, 2H),6.92-6.88 (m, 1H), 6.05 (s, 2H), 2.60 (s, 6H).

Example 99

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.65 (s, 1H), 7.54-7.35 (m, 5H), 7.15-7.09 (m, 2H),6.94 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 4.35-4.29 (m, 4H), 2.58 (s, 6H).

Example 100

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.74 (s, 1H), 7.58-7.35 (m, 7H), 7.04-6.99 (m, 2H),4.17-4.13 (m, 2H), 4.03-3.98 (m, 2H), 2.62 (s, 6H), 2.00 (s br, 1H).

Example 102 and 103

Starting from Scaffold 18, the following examples are prepared:

Ex- Meth- Scale LC-MS ample R od (mmol) t_(R) [M + 1]⁺⁺ 102

D 0.681 0.89 369 103

D 1.815 0.96 403

Example 103

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.67 (s, 1H), 7.62 (d, J=2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.54-7.33 (m,6H), 7.04 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 4.25-4.20 (m, 2H), 4.09-4.02 (m, 2H), 3.49(q, J=7.0 Hz, 2H), 2.16 (s br, 1H), 1.25 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 3H).

Example 104 to 108

Starting from Scaffold 19, the following examples are prepared:

Ex- LC-MS am- Meth- Scale [M + ple R od (mmol) t_(R) 1]⁺⁺ 104

E 0.200 1.05 367 105

E 0.200 1.05 381 106

E 0.200 0.98 366 107

D 0.200 0.92 383 108

D 0.640 1.00 417

Example 109 and 110

Starting from Scaffold 20, the following examples are prepared:

Ex- Meth- Scale LC-MS ample R od (mmol) t_(R) [M + 1]⁺⁺ 109

D 0.604 0.94 397 110

D 0.604 1.02 431

Example 110

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.67 (s, 1H), 7.63 (d, J=2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.46 (dd, J=2.3,8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.25-7.19 (m, 2H), 7.07-7.01 (m, 2H), 4.25-4.20 (m, 2H),4.08-4.02 (m, 2H), 3.55-3.43 (m, 2H), 2.35 (s, 3H), 2.15 (s br, 1H),2.07 (s, 3H), 1.25-1.19 (m, 3H).

Example 111 and 112

Starting from Scaffold 21, the following examples are prepared:

Ex- LC-MS am- Meth- Scale [M + ple R od (mmol) t_(R) 1]⁺⁺ 111

D 0.604 0.98 397 112

D 0.604 1.05 431

Example 113 and 114

Starting from Scaffold 22, the following examples are prepared:

Ex- Meth- Scale LC-MS ample R od (mmol) t_(R) [M + 1]⁺⁺ 113

D 0.572 1.01 411 114

D 0.572 1.07 445

Example 114

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.67 (s, 1H), 7.62 (d, J=2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.46 (dd, J=2.3,8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.39-7.29 (m, 3H), 7.20-7.16 (m, 1H), 7.05 (d, J=8.8 Hz,1H), 4.25-4.20 (m, 2H), 4.07-7.02 (m, 2H), 3.51-3.35 (m, 2H), 2.20 (s,3H), 2.14 (s br, 1H), 1.65-1.55 (m, 2H), 1.43-4.30 (m, 2H), 0.93 (t,J=7.3 Hz, 3H).

Example 115 and 116

Starting from Scaffold 23, the following examples are prepared:

Ex- Meth- Scale LC-MS ample R od (mmol) t_(R) [M + 1]⁺⁺ 115

D 0.543 1.03 425 116

D 0.543 1.09 459

Examples 117 to 120

Starting from Scaffold 24, the following examples are prepared:

Ex- Meth- Scale LC-MS ample R od (mmol) t_(R) [M + 1]⁺⁺ 117

E 0.200 1.12 381 118

E 0.200 1.10 395 119

E 0.200 1.02 380 120

D 0.604 1.04 431

Example 120

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.65 (s, 1H), 7.61 (d, J=2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.51-7.32 (m,6H), 7.03 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 4.24-4.20 (m, 2H), 4.06-4.01 (m, 2H), 3.32(hex, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 2.15 (s br, 1H), 1.60-1.49 (m, 2H), 1.17 (d, J=6.4Hz, 3H), 0.87 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 3H).

Examples 121 to 123

Starting from Scaffold 25, the following examples are prepared:

Scale LC-MS Example R Method (mmol) t_(R) [M + 1]⁺⁺ 121

E 0.200 1.08 365 122

E 0.200 1.08 379 123

D 0.200 0.96 381

Examples 124 and 125

Starting from Scaffold 26, the following examples are prepared:

Ex- Meth- Scale LC-MS ample R od (mmol) t_(R) [M + 1]⁺⁺ 124

D 0.283 1.08 389 125

D 0.283 1.14 423

Example 124

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.60 (s, 1H), 7.51-7.46 (m, 2H), 7.01-6.96 (m, 2H),4.49 (tt, J=3.5, 11.8 Hz, 1H), 4.16-4.11 (m, 2H), 4.02-3.96 (m, 2H),3.51 (hept, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 2.50-2.35 (m, 2H), 1.99 (s br, 1H), 1.90-1.80(m, 2H), 1.70-1.35 (m, 6H), 1.25 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 6H).

Example 126 to 131

Starting from Scaffold 27, the following examples are prepared:

Ex- LC-MS am- Meth- Scale [M + ple R od (mmol) t_(R) 1]⁺⁺ 126

E 0.200 1.12 333 127

E 0.200 1.12 347 128

E 0.200 1.07 332 129

D 0.200 0.95 345 130

D 0.499 1.07 383 131

D 0.750 0.99 413

Example 131

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.55 (d, J=2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.52 (s, 1H), 7.40 (dd, J=2.3,8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.00 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 4.91 (hept, J=7.0 Hz, 1H),4.25-4.14 (m, 3H), 3.94-3.81 (m, 2H), 3.53 (hept, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 2.72 (sbr, 1H), 2.09 (s br, 1H), 1.50 (d, J=7.0 Hz, 6H), 1.26 (d, J=6.4 Hz,6H).

Example 132 to 134

Starting from Scaffold 28, the following examples are prepared:

Ex- am- Scale LC-MS ple R Method (mmol) t_(R) [M + 1]⁺⁺ 132

E 0.200 1.11 409 133

E 0.200 1.06 394 134

D 0.572 1.07 445

Examples 135 and 136

Starting from Scaffold 29, the following examples are prepared:

Scale LC-MS Example R Method (mmol) t_(R) [M + 1]⁺⁺ 135

E 0.160 1.14 421 136

E 0.160 1.14 435

Examples 137 and 139

Starting from Scaffold 30, the following examples are prepared:

Scale LC-MS Example R Method (mmol) t_(R) [M + 1]⁺⁺ 137

E 0.200 1.14 415 138

E 0.200 1.15 429 139

E 0.200 1.12 414

Example 140 to 142

Starting from Scaffold 31, the following examples are prepared:

Scale LC-MS Example R Method (mmol) t_(R) [M + 1]⁺⁺ 140

E 0.200 1.14 415 141

E 0.200 1.15 429 142

E 0.200 1.10 414

Example 143 to 145

Starting from Scaffold 32, the following examples are prepared:

Scale LC-MS Example R Method (mmol) t_(R) [M + 1]⁺⁺ 143

E 0.200 1.14 435 144

E 0.200 1.15 449 145

E 0.200 1.13 434

Examples 146 to 148

Starting from Scaffold 33, the following examples are prepared:

Scale LC-MS Example R Method (mmol) t_(R) [M + 1]⁺⁺ 146

E 0.200 1.12 401 147

E 0.200 1.12 415 148

E 0.200 1.09 400

Examples 149 and 150

Starting from Scaffold 34, the following examples are prepared:

Ex- am- Scale LC-MS ple R Method (mmol) t_(R) [M + 1]⁺⁺ 149

D 0.650 0.95 381 150

D 0.650 1.01 415

Example 150

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.69 (s, 1H), 7.62 (d, J=2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.55-7.34 (m,4H), 7.05 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 6.01-5.88 (m, 1H), 5.25-5.10 (m, 2H),4.26-4.20 (m, 2H), 4.12-4.08 (m, 2H), 4.07-4.02 (m, 2H).

Examples 151 to 155

Starting from Scaffold 35, the following examples are prepared:

Ex- am- Scale LC-MS ple R Method (mmol) t_(R) [M + 1]⁺⁺ 151

E 0.200 1.06 329 152

E 0.200 1.07 343 153

E 0.200 1.05 328 154

D 0.200 0.95 345 155

D 0.764 1.01 379

Example 155

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.62 (s, 1H), 7.57 (d, J=2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.41 (dd, J=2.3,8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.02 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 6.06-5.85 (m, 2H), 5.33-5.15 (m,4H), 4.55-4.50 (m, 2H), 4.24-4.19 (m, 2H), 4.10-4.08 (m, 2H), 4.07-4.01(m, 2H), 2.13 (s br, 1H).

Example 156

5-[3-Chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz-(Z)-ylidene]-2-[(Z)-methylimino]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-oneis obtained as an off-white powder starting from Scaffold 36 (150 mg,0.727 mmol) and 3-chloro-4-(2-acetoxy-ethoxy)-benzaldehyde (353 mg, 1.45mmol) following Method D. LC-MS: t_(R)=0.91 min, [M+1]⁺=389. ¹H NMR(CDCl₃): δ 7.69 (s, 1H), 7.63 (d, J=2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.55-7.40 (m, 4H),7.35-7.30 (m, 2H), 7.05 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 4.25-4.20 (m, 2H), 4.08-4.00(m, 2H), 3.27 (s, 3H).

Example 157

5-[3-Chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz-(Z)-ylidene]-2-[(Z)-methylimino]-3-(2,3-dimethylphenyl)-thiazolidin-4-oneis obtained as a pale yellow powder starting from Scaffold 37 (150 mg,0.640 mmol) and 3-chloro-4-(2-acetoxy-ethoxy)-benzaldehyde (311 mg, 1.28mmol) following Method D. LC-MS: t_(R)=0.97 min, [M+1]⁺=417. ¹H NMR(CDCl₃): δ 7.69 (s, 1H), 7.64 (d, J=2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.47 (dd, J=2.3, 8.8Hz, 1H), 7.25-7.20 (m, 2H), 7.06-7.01 (m, 2H), 4.25-4.20 (m, 2H),4.07-4.02 (m, 2H), 3.25 (s, 3H), 2.35 (s, 3H), 2.07 (s, 3H).

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for reducing the number ofcirculating lymphocytes in an animal comprising administering aneffective amount of a pharmaceutical composition containing at least onethiazolidin-4-one derivative of the General Formula (II)

wherein: R¹⁴ represents lower alkyl; lower alkenyl; cycloalkyl;5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphth-1-yl; 5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphth-2-yl; a phenylgroup; or a phenyl group mono-, di- or tri-substituted independentlywith lower alkyl, halogen, lower alkoxy, or —CF₃; R¹⁵ represents loweralkyl; allyl; cyclopropyl; cyclobutyl; cyclopentyl; or mono- or di-loweralkylamino; R¹⁶ represents hydrogen; hydroxy; lower alkoxy; lower alkyl;or halogen; R¹⁷ represents hydrogen, lower alkyl, or hydroxymethyl; R¹⁸,R¹⁹, R²¹ and R²² each represents independently hydrogen or methyl; R²⁰represents hydrogen or lower alkyl; and in case m represents the integer1, R²⁰ in addition represents lower alkoxy, hydroxy, —NH₂, —NHR⁵ or—NR⁵R⁶, wherein R⁵ and R⁶ each represents independently lower alkyl; R²³represents hydrogen; lower alkyl; hydroxycarbonyl-lower alkyl;1-glyceryl; or 2-glyceryl; m represents the integer 0 or 1, in free orpharmaceutically acceptable salt form.
 2. The method according to claim1, wherein said thiazolidin-4-one derivative is the (Z,Z) isomer.
 3. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein R¹⁴ represents an unsubstituted, ora mono- or di-substituted phenyl group.
 4. The method according to claim1, wherein R¹⁴ represents an unsubstituted, or a mono- or di-substitutedphenyl group, substituted with methyl or halogen.
 5. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein R¹⁵ represents lower alkyl.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein R¹⁶ represents halogen or methyl.
 7. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein m represents the integer 0, andR¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹ and R²⁰ represent hydrogen.
 8. The method according toclaim 1, wherein m represents the integer 1, R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²¹ and R²²represent hydrogen, and R²⁰ represents hydroxy.
 9. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein R²³ represents hydrogen.
 10. The method according toclaim 1, wherein m represents the integer 0, and R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²⁰ andR²³ represent hydrogen.
 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein mrepresents the integer 1, R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²¹, R²² and R²³ representhydrogen, and R²⁰ represents hydroxy.
 12. The method according to claim1, wherein R¹⁴ represents an unsubstituted, or a mono- or di-substitutedphenyl group, substituted with methyl or halogen, and R¹⁵ representslower alkyl.
 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein R¹⁴ representsan unsubstituted, or a mono- or di-substituted phenyl group, substitutedwith methyl or halogen, m represents the integer 0, and R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹,R²⁰ and R²³ represent hydrogen.
 14. The method according to claim 1,wherein R¹⁴ represents an unsubstituted, or a mono- or di-substitutedphenyl group, substituted with methyl or halogen, m represents theinteger 1, R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²¹, R²² and R²³ represent hydrogen, and R²⁰represents hydroxy.
 15. The method according to claim 1, wherein R¹⁴represents an unsubstituted, or a mono- or di-substituted phenyl group,substituted with methyl or halogen, R¹⁵ represents lower alkyl, R¹⁶represents methyl or halogen, m represents the integer 0, and R¹⁷, R¹⁸,R¹⁹, R²⁰ and R²³ each represent hydrogen.
 16. The method according toclaim 1, wherein R¹⁴ represents an unsubstituted, or a mono- ordi-substituted phenyl group, substituted with methyl or halogen, R¹⁵represents lower alkyl, R¹⁶ represents methyl or halogen, m representsthe integer 1, R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²¹ R²² and R²³ represent hydrogen, andR²⁰ represents hydroxy.
 17. The method according to claim 1, wherein thethiazolidin-4-one derivative is selected from the group consisting of:5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,{2-[4-(2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-4-oxo-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-[Z]-ylidenemethyl)-phenoxy]-ethoxy}-aceticacid,5-{4-[2-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-ethoxy]-benz[Z]ylidene}-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-fluoro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-3-methyl-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-3-methoxy-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[4-(3-hydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,5-{4-[2-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-ethoxy]-benz[Z]ylidene}-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-3-methoxy-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[4-(3-hydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-m-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-m-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-m-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-p-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-p-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-p-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,5-{4-[2-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-ethoxy]-benz[Z]ylidene}-3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-5-[3-fluoro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-3-methyl-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-3-methoxy-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,3-(2,4-dimethyl-phenyl)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,3-(2,6-dimethyl-phenyl)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,3-(2-chloro-phenyl)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-(2-chloro-phenyl)-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-(2-chloro-phenyl)-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one,3-allyl-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,3-allyl-5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,3-allyl-5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-2-([Z]-propylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-2-([Z]-propylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-3-methyl-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-2-([Z]-propylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-2-([Z]-propylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-propylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[4-(3-hydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-propylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-propylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-3-methyl-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-propylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-propylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,(R)-5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-propylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,(S)-5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-propylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-propylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,5-{4-[2-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-ethoxy]-benz[Z]ylidene}-3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-([Z]-propylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-([Z]-propylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-3-methyl-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-propylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-3-methoxy-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-propylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-([Z]-propylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-([Z]-propylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,2-([Z]-tert-butylimino)-5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,2-(dimethyl-hydrazono)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-(dimethyl-hydrazono)-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,2-([Z]-ethylimino)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-ethylimino)-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,2-([Z]-ethylimino)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-ethylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-([Z]-ethylimino)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-([Z]-ethylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,2-([Z]-butylimino)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,2-([Z]-butylimino)-5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,2-([Z]-butylimino)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,2-([Z]-butylimino)-5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,2-([Z]-butylimino)-3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-thiazolidin-4-one,2-([Z]-butylimino)-5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one,2-([Z]-sec-butylimino)-5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,2-([Z]-cyclopropylimino)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,3-cyclohexyl-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-cyclohexyl-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-isopropyl-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-isopropyl-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-isopropyl-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,2-([Z]-allylimino)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,2-([Z]-allylimino)-5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,3-allyl-2-([Z]-allylimino)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-thiazolidin-4-one,3-allyl-2-([Z]-allylimino)-5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-methylimino)-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,and5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-([Z]-methylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one.18. The method according to claim 1, wherein the thiazolidin-4-onederivative is selected from the group consisting of:5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-2-([Z]-propylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-3-methyl-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-2-([Z]-propylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-2-([Z]-propylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-propylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,(R)-5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-propylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,(S)-5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-propylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-([Z]-propylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-([Z]-propylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,2-(dimethyl-hydrazono)-5-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-ethylimino)-3-phenyl-thiazolidin-4-one,5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-(2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-2-([Z]-ethylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one,and5-[3-chloro-4-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-3-isopropyl-2-([Z]-isopropylimino)-thiazolidin-4-one.19. The method according to claim 1, wherein the thiazolidin-4-onederivative is(R)-5-[3-chloro-4-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-benz[Z]ylidene]-2-([Z]-propylimino)-3-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one.20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the lymphocytes are T- andB-lymphocytes.
 21. The method according to claim 1, wherein thelymphocytes are T- and B-lymphocytes.